Ultraviolet absorbent composition

ABSTRACT

An ultraviolet absorbent composition, containing:
         an ultraviolet absorbent A represented by formula (1);   an ultraviolet absorbent B represented by formula (2-a) or (2-b); and   a compound C, which is at least one kind of compound selected from the group consisting of a singlet oxygen scavenger, an antioxidant and a radical trapping agent:       

     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     wherein
 
R a1  and R a2  each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a specific substituent; R a3  and R a4  each independently represent a substituent having a Hammett substituent constant σp value of 0.2 or more; R a5  to R a7  each represent a hydrogen atom or a monovalent substituent;
 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     X 1  and X 2  each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a specific substituent; s 1  and s 2  each independently represent an integer of 1 to 3; Lg represents a divalent substituent or a single bond; w represents 0 or 1; tb represents 1 or 2; and X 3  represents, when tb is 1, a hydrogen atom or a specific substituent; and when tb is 2, X 3  represents a divalent substituent.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an ultraviolet absorbent composition.

BACKGROUND ART

Ultraviolet absorbents have been used in combination with various resinsor the like for providing materials with ultraviolet-absorptivity. As anultraviolet absorbent, an inorganic ultraviolet absorbent and an organicultraviolet absorbent may be used. The inorganic ultraviolet absorbent(see, for example, Patent Literatures 1 to 3) is superior in durabilitysuch as weather resistance and heat resistance. However, the freedom inselecting the compound is limited, because the absorption wavelength isdetermined by the band gap of the compound. There is hence no inorganicabsorbent available that absorbs the light in a long-wavelengthultraviolet (UV-A) range of 320 to 400 nm, and the one can absorbslong-wavelength ultraviolet should have color because it would haveabsorption also in the visible range. It is known that a film having ashielding effect over a wide ultraviolet range can be obtained bycoating a cerium oxide-based ultraviolet-shielding agent that blocks theUV-A range onto the surface of a specific titanic acid having a UV-Brange blocking property (see, for example, Patent Literature 4).

In contrast, as to the organic ultraviolet absorbent, the freedom indesigning the absorbent structure is much wider, and thus, it ispossible to obtain absorbents having various absorption wavelengths bydesigning the absorbent chemical structure properly.

Various organic ultraviolet absorbent systems have been studied, and forabsorption in the long-wavelength ultraviolet range, it is conceivableeither to use an absorbent having the wavelength of maximal absorptionin the long-wavelength ultraviolet range or to use a high concentrationof absorbent. The absorbents described in, for example, PatentLiteratures 5 and 6 have the wavelength of maximal absorption in thelong-wavelength ultraviolet range, but they however are inferior inlight stability, and their absorption capability declines with time.

In this regard, benzophenone- and benzotriazole-based ultravioletabsorbents are relatively high in light stability, and increase inconcentration or film thickness leads to relatively clean blocking ofthe light in the longer-wavelength range (see, for example, PatentLiteratures 7 and 8). However, when such an ultraviolet absorbent isapplied as mixed with a resin or the like, the film thickness is limitedto several tens of μm at the most. For blocking the light in thelonger-wavelength range with the above-described film thickness to, itis necessary to add the ultraviolet absorbent to a considerably highconcentration. However, simple increase in concentration only results ina problem of precipitation and bleed-out of the ultraviolet absorbentduring long-term use. In addition, as an ultraviolet absorbent havingthe wavelength of maximal absorption in the long-wavelength ultravioletrange, when it also has absorption in the range of 400 nm or more, thematerial becomes yellowish. Thus, it deteriorates the tone of the colorimage observed in transmission. Accordingly, increase in concentrationleads to distinct problems.

Under the circumstances, there is a need for an ultraviolet absorbentthat blocks the light in a wide ultraviolet range and yet has noabsorption in the visible range, further satisfying light deteriorationresistance and the other properties.

Patent Literature 1: JP-A-5-339033

Patent Literature 2: JP-A-5-345639

Patent Literature 3: JP-A-6-56466

Patent Literature 4: JP-A-2006-316107

Patent Literature 5: JP-A-6-145387

Patent Literature 6: JP-A-2003-177235

Patent Literature 7: JP-T-2005-517787

Patent Literature 8: JP-A-7-285927

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Technical Problem

The present invention overcomes the aforementioned problems, and addressto the provision of an ultraviolet absorbent composition havingexcellent ultraviolet absorptivity in both the UV-A and the UV-B rangesand yet having no absorption in the visible range, further satisfyinglight deterioration resistance and the other properties.

Solution to Problem

The inventors conducted intensive studies on compounds having absorptionin the ultraviolet range and also studies into making the compoundsblock the light in the wider ultraviolet range and the UV light in thelong-wavelength ultraviolet range more effectively and yet have noabsorption in the visible range. As a result, the inventors found thatit is not easy to solve the above problems with a single molecularcompound that does not have a plurality of ultraviolet-absorbingstructures. That is, when the light in the entire ultraviolet range isblocked with a single molecule ultraviolet absorbent, the absorptionintensity mostly becomes smaller, and thus, increase in addition amountis needed to block the ultraviolet light effectively. The increase inaddition amount, which may lead to bleed-out, is undesirable. Thecompound having absorption in a wide wavelength range has broadabsorption spectra with its wavelength of maximal absorption at thecenter. Thus, when a wavelength range to be blocked reliably and awavelength range to be transmitted reliably are close to each other, itis quite difficult to satisfy both requirements at the same time. Incontrast, the compound having sharp absorption blocks the light only ina narrow range with its wavelength of maximal absorption at the center.

Based on these findings, it might be thought to employ an ultravioletabsorbent that does not have absorption on the long-wavelength side ofthe visible range but has sufficient absorption in the ultravioletrange, i.e., an ultraviolet absorbent having a steep spectrum in thelong-wavelength range for absorption in the long-wavelength ultravioletrange, together with another ultraviolet absorbent for absorption in theother range where absorption is insufficient. It is thereby consideredto be able to provide an ultraviolet absorbent composition blocking thelight in the entire ultraviolet range and the light in thelong-wavelength ultraviolet range effectively. However, when ultravioletabsorbents properly selected according to the aforementioned findingwere used in combination, poor compatibility with the polymer resultedin a problem of bleed-out of the ultraviolet absorbents, and moreoverpoor solubility in the solvent caused a problem of inferior operatingefficiency. Further, these ultraviolet absorbents were not fullysatisfactory in terms of stability to light and heat.

Further, the inventors studied such ultraviolet-absorbing compoundshaving such a spectral shape. As described in Sumio Tokita “ChemistrySeminar 9. Color Chemistry” (Maruzen, 1982), p. 150 to 161, the spectralshape of a compound is constantly related to the energy level of itselectron states as well as the levels of vibration and rotation.Restriction of the factors of molecular vibration and rotation wouldthus be effective in narrowing the absorbent body and giving a sharperspectral shape. However, even when the factors of vibration and rotationare restricted, the spectral shape may broaden, if the structure hasside absorption in addition to its main absorption, the intensity of theside absorption is large, and the side absorption occurs in a wavelengthrange significantly separated from that of the main absorption. It wasdifficult to sharpen the spectral shape of a common ultravioletabsorbent, such as the benzotriazole- and triazine-based absorbents,which have been generally used as ultraviolet absorbents having broadabsorption, for the above reasons. The inventors considered it essentialfor sharpening the spectral shape to depart from these structures andselect a compound in the structure wherein the contribution of vibrationand rotation is smaller and there is smaller side absorption. As aresult, it was found to be possible to solve the problems in absorptioneffectively by using the compound represented by formulae (1) satisfyingthe requirements above as the ultraviolet absorbent. The inventors havealso found that when the compound represented by formulae (1) is used asthe ultraviolet absorbent, it is possible to solve the aforementionedproblems of compatibility with a polymer and solubility in a solvent.Further, as a result of intensive studies in details, the inventors havefound that the ultraviolet stabilizer can maintain its ultravioletabsorptive capacity over a long time in use together with a particularcompound, even though the ultraviolet stabilizer is a material that doesnot maintain its ultraviolet absorptive capacity over a long time whenthe material is singly used. Even more surprising, the present inventorshave found a significant effect of the compound represented by formula(1) having high solubility shows the remarkable effect to suppressbleeding-out of additives from a polymer.

JP-A-8-239509 (paragraph [0036] thereof) describes that, in the case ofusing a compound represented by formula (1) described below in anoptical polymer film, various known additives such as a dispersant, afluorescent dye, an antifoam, a lubricant, an anti-fading agent, or apreservative may be used, if needed. However, specific kinds andstructures of the additives are unmentioned in the publication, andeffects of the additives are not described therein. Further,JP-A-62-260152 (page 15, lower left column, lines 11-13) describes that,in the case of using a compound represented by formula (1) describedbelow, an antioxidant, a quenching material, or the like may beincorporated for the purpose of increasing fastness of images or forother purposes. However, specific structures of these materials andeffects obtained thereby are not described therein.

The present invention has been made on the basis of these findings.

The present invention provides the following means:

<1> An ultraviolet absorbent composition, comprising:

an ultraviolet absorbent A represented by formula (1);

an ultraviolet absorbent B represented by formula (2-a) or (2-b); and

a compound C, which is at least one kind of compound selected from thegroup consisting of a singlet oxygen scavenger, an antioxidant and aradical trapping agent:

whereinR^(a1) and R^(a2) each independently represent a hydrogen atom, asubstituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstitutedaryl group or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group; R^(a1)and R^(a2) may bond to each other to form a nitrogen-containing ring;R^(a3) and R^(a4) each independently represent a substituent having aHammett substituent constant σp value of 0.2 or more; R^(a3) and R^(a4)may bond to each other to form a ring;R^(a5), R^(a6) and R^(a7) each represent a hydrogen atom or a monovalentsubstituent; and any two of R^(a1), R^(a5), R^(a6) and R^(a7) may bondwith each other to form a ring; and

wherein, in formula (2-a),X₁ and X₂ each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom,a hydroxyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, asubstituted or unsubstituted phenyl group, a substituted orunsubstituted alkoxy group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkylsulfonylgroup, a substituted or unsubstituted arylsulfonyl group, a sulfonicacid group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyloxycarbonyl group, asubstituted or unsubstituted aryloxycarbonyl group or a substituted orunsubstituted amino group; ands₁ and s₂ each independently represent an integer of 1 to 3; andwherein, in formula (2-b),X₁ represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a hydroxyl group, asubstituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstitutedphenyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy group, a substitutedor unsubstituted alkylsulfonyl group, a substituted or unsubstitutedarylsulfonyl group, a sulfonic acid group, a substituted orunsubstituted alkyloxycarbonyl group, a substituted or unsubstitutedaryloxycarbonyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted amino group; s₁represents an integer of 1 to 3;Lg represents a divalent substituent or a single bond; w represents 0 or1; tb represents 1 or 2; X₃ represents, when tb is 1, a hydrogen atom, ahalogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkylgroup, a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group, a substituted orunsubstituted alkoxy group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkylsulfonylgroup, a substituted or unsubstituted arylsulfonyl group, a sulfonicacid group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyloxycarbonyl group, asubstituted or unsubstituted aryloxycarbonyl group, or a substituted orunsubstituted amino group; and when tb is 2, X₃ represents a divalentsubstituent.<2> The ultraviolet absorbent composition described in the above item<1>, wherein the compound C is a compound represented by formula (3-a)or (3-b):

whereinin formula (3-a), R¹¹ represents a hydrogen atom, an aliphatic group, anaromatic group, a heterocyclic group bound via a carbon atom, or ahydrolysable protective group; R¹², R¹³, R¹⁴, and R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ eachindependently represent a hydrogen atom or a substituent; and R¹¹ andR¹², R¹² and R¹³, R¹³ and R¹⁴, R¹⁴ and R¹⁵, R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ and R¹⁶ and R¹¹may bond to each other to form a ring; andin formula (3-b), R²¹ represents a hydrogen atom, an aliphatic group, anacyl group, a sulfonyl group, a sulfinyl group, an oxy radical group ora hydroxyl group; Q represents a group of nonmetallic atoms necessaryfor forming a 5-, 6- or 7-membered ring; R²², R²³, R²⁴ and R²⁵ eachindependently represents a hydrogen atom, an aliphatic group, anaromatic group, or a heterocyclic group bound via a carbon atom; and R²¹and R²², R²² and R²³, R²⁴ and R²⁵, and R²¹ and R²⁴ may bond to eachother to form a ring.<3> The ultraviolet absorbent composition described in the above item<1> or <2>, wherein the ultraviolet absorbent A has the maximumabsorption wavelength of 350 nm or more and 400 nm or less, the halfwidth of 55 nm or less, and the molar extinction coefficient at themaximum absorption wavelength of 50,000 or more.<4> The ultraviolet absorbent composition described in any one of theabove items <1> to <3>, wherein the ultraviolet absorbent B has themaximum absorption wavelength of less than 320 nm.<5> The ultraviolet absorbent composition described in any one of theabove items <1> to <3>, wherein the ultraviolet absorbent B has themaximum absorption wavelength of 320 nm or more and 350 nm or less.<6> The ultraviolet absorbent composition described in any one of theabove items <1> to <5>, wherein a mixing ratio of the ultravioletabsorbent A the ultraviolet absorbent B is 1:10 to 10:1.<7> The ultraviolet absorbent composition described in any one of theabove items <2> to <6>, wherein the compound C is the compoundrepresented by formula (3-b).<8> An ultraviolet absorbent dispersion, comprising the ultravioletabsorbent composition described in any one of the above items <1> to<7>.<9> An ultraviolet absorbent solution, comprising the ultravioletabsorbent composition described in any one of the above items <1> to<7>.<10> A polymer material, comprising the ultraviolet absorbentcomposition described in any one of the above items <1> to <7>.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

The ultraviolet absorbent composition of the present invention issuperior, as advantageous effect, in ultraviolet-absorbing capacity inthe UV-A and UV-B ranges, yet having no absorption in the visible range,further satisfying excellent light deterioration resistance and theother properties. Furthermore, the inventive ultraviolet possesses sohigh compatibility to a polymer that it can prevent bleed out, and alsopossesses so high solubility to various solvents that it can improvemanufacturing operation efficiency.

Other and further features and advantages of the invention will appearmore fully from the following description, taking the accompanyingdrawing into consideration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an example of preferred absorption spectrum of theultraviolet absorbents A and B for use in the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT INVENTION

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail.

A solution for measuring the spectral absorption maximum wavelength isobtained by dissolving the ultraviolet absorbent compositions (A), (B),and the compound (C) in an organic or inorganic solvent or water, eithersingly or as a mixture.

Examples of the organic solvent include amide-series solvents (e.g.,N,N-dimethylformamide, N,N-dimethylacetamide, and1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone), sulfone-series solvents (e.g., sulfolane),sulfoxide-series solvents (e.g., dimethyl sulfoxide), ureido-seriessolvents (e.g., tetramethylurea), ether-series solvents (e.g., dioxane,tetrahydrofuran, and cyclopentyl methyl ether), ketone-series solvents(e.g., acetone and cyclohexanone), hydrocarbon-series solvents (e.g.,toluene, xylene, and n-decane), halogen-containing solvents (e.g.,tetrachloroethane, chlorobenzene, and chloronaphthalene), alcohol-seriessolvents (e.g., methanol, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, ethylene glycol,cyclohexanol, and phenol), pyridine-series solvents (e.g., pyridine,y-picoline, and 2,6-lutidine), ester-series solvents (e.g., ethylacetate and butyl acetate), carboxylic acid-series solvents (e.g.,acetic acid and propionic acid), nitrile-series solvents (e.g.,acetonitrile), sulfonic acid-series solvents (e.g., methanesulfonicacid), and amine-series solvents (e.g., triethylamine andtributylamine). Examples of the inorganic solvent include sulfuric acidand phosphoric acid.

Among these, amide-series solvents, sulfone-series solvents,sulfoxide-series solvents, ureido-series solvents, ether-seriessolvents, ketone-series solvents, halogen-containing solvents,alcohol-series solvents, ester-series solvents, and nitrile-seriessolvents are preferable from the viewpoint of solubility of ultravioletabsorbents. The concentrations of the ultraviolet absorbent compositions(A) and (B) for measurement are not particularly limited insofar as themaximum wavelength of spectral absorption can be confirmed, and arepreferably in a range of from 1×10⁻⁷ mol/L to 1×10¹³ mol/L. Themeasurement temperatures are not particularly limited, and arepreferably from 0° C. to 80° C.

As measurement apparatus, a common spectral absorption measurementapparatus (e.g., U-4100 spectrophotometer, trade name, manufactured byHitachi High-Technologies Corp.) can be used.

In the present specification, the aliphatic group means an alkyl group,a substituted alkyl group, an alkenyl group, a substituted alkenylgroup, an alkynyl group, a substituted alkynyl group, an aralkyl group,and a substituted aralkyl group. The aforementioned alkyl group may havea branch or may form a ring. The alkyl group preferably has 1 to 20carbon atoms, and more preferably 1 to 18 carbon atoms. The alkyl moietyin the aforementioned substituted alkyl group is the same as the abovementioned alkyl group. The aforementioned alkenyl group may have abranch or may form a ring. The alkenyl group has preferably 2 to 20carbon atoms, and more preferably 2 to 18 carbon atoms. The alkenylmoiety in the aforementioned substituted alkenyl group is the same asthe above mentioned alkenyl group. The aforementioned alkynyl group mayhave a branch or may form a ring. The alkynyl group has preferably 2 to20 carbon atoms, and more preferably 2 to 18 carbon atoms. The alkynylmoiety in the aforementioned substituted alkynyl group is the same asthe above mentioned alkynyl group. The alkyl moiety in theaforementioned aralkyl group and substituted aralkyl group is the sameas the above mentioned alkyl group. The aryl moiety in theaforementioned aralkyl group and substituted aralkyl group is the sameas the aryl group mentioned below.

Specific examples of the substituent in the alkyl portion of thesubstituted alkyl group, the substituted alkenyl group, the substitutedalkynyl group, and the substituted aralkyl group include: a halogen atom(e.g. a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, or an iodine atom); an alkylgroup [which represents a substituted or unsubstituted linear, branched,or cyclic alkyl group, and which includes an alkyl (preferably an alkylhaving 1 to 30 carbon atoms, e.g. methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl,t-butyl, n-octyl, eicosyl, 2-chloroethyl, 2-cyanoethyl, or2-ethylhexyl), a cycloalkyl group (preferably a substituted orunsubstituted cycloalkyl group having 3 to 30 carbon atoms, e.g.cyclohexyl, cyclopentyl, or 4-n-dodecylcyclohexyl), a bicycloalkyl group(preferably a substituted or unsubstituted bicycloalkyl group having 5to 30 carbon atoms, i.e. a monovalent group obtained by removing onehydrogen atom from a bicycloalkane having 5 to 30 carbon atoms, e.g.bicyclo[1,2,2]heptan-2-yl or bicyclo[2,2,2]octan-3-yl), and a tricycloor higher structure having three or more ring structures; and an alkylgroup in substituents described below (e.g. an alkyl group in analkylthio group) represents such an alkyl group of the above concept];

an alkenyl group [which represents a substituted or unsubstitutedlinear, branched, or cyclic alkenyl group, and which includes an alkenylgroup (preferably a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl group having 2to 30 carbon atoms, e.g. vinyl, allyl, prenyl, geranyl, or oleyl), acycloalkenyl group (preferably a substituted or unsubstitutedcycloalkenyl group having 3 to 30 carbon atoms, i.e. a monovalent groupobtained by removing one hydrogen atom from a cycloalkene having 3 to 30carbon atoms, e.g. 2-cyclopenten-1-yl or 2-cyclohexen-1-yl), and abicycloalkenyl group (which represents a substituted or unsubstitutedbicycloalkenyl group, preferably a substituted or unsubstitutedbicycloalkenyl group having 5 to 30 carbon atoms, i.e. a monovalentgroup obtained by removing one hydrogen atom from a bicycloalkene havingone double bond, e.g. bicyclo[2,2,1]hept-2-en-1-yl orbicyclo[2,2,2]oct-2-en-4-yl)]; an alkynyl group (preferably asubstituted or unsubstituted alkynyl group having 2 to 30 carbon atoms,e.g. ethynyl, propargyl, or trimethylsilylethynyl);an aryl group (preferably a substituted or unsubstituted aryl grouphaving 6 to 30 carbon atoms, e.g. phenyl, p-tolyl, naphthyl,m-chlorophenyl, or o-hexadecanoylaminophenyl); a heterocyclic group(preferably a monovalent group obtained by removing one hydrogen atomfrom a substituted or unsubstituted 5- or 6-membered aromatic ornonaromatic heterocyclic compound; more preferably a 5- or 6-memberedaromatic heterocyclic group having 3 to 30 carbon atoms, e.g. 2-furyl,2-thienyl, 2-pyrimidinyl, 2-benzothiazolyl); a cyano; a hydroxyl; anitro; a carboxyl; an alkoxy (preferably a substituted or unsubstitutedalkoxy having 1 to 30 carbon atoms, e.g. methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy,t-butoxy, n-octyloxy, or 2-methoxyethoxy); an aryloxy (preferably asubstituted or unsubstituted aryloxy having 6 to 30 carbon atoms, e.g.phenoxy, 2-methylphenoxy, 4-t-butylphenoxy, 3-nitrophenoxy, or2-tetradecanoylaminophenoxy);a silyloxy group (preferably a silyloxy group having 3 to 20 carbonatoms, e.g. trimethylsilyloxy or t-butyldimethylsilyloxy); aheterocyclic oxy group (preferably a substituted or unsubstitutedheterocyclic oxy group having 2 to 30 carbon atoms, e.g.1-phenyltetrazol-5-oxy or 2-tetrahydropyranyloxy); an acyloxy group(preferably a formyloxy group, a substituted or unsubstitutedalkylcarbonyloxy group having 2 to 30 carbon atoms, or a substituted orunsubstituted arylcarbonyloxy group having 7 to 30 carbon atoms, e.g.formyloxy, acetyloxy, pivaloyloxy, stearoyloxy, benzoyloxy, orp-methoxyphenylcarbonyloxy); a carbamoyloxy group (preferably asubstituted or unsubstituted carbamoyloxy group having 1 to 30 carbonatoms, e.g. N,N-dimethylcarbamoyloxy, N,N-diethylcarbamoyloxy,morpholinocarbonyloxy, N,N-di-n-octylaminocarbonyloxy, orN-n-octylcarbamoyloxy);an alkoxycarbonyloxy group (preferably a substituted or unsubstitutedalkoxycarbonyloxy group having 2 to 30 carbon atoms, e.g.methoxycarbonyloxy, ethoxycarbonyloxy, t-butoxycarbonyloxy, orn-octylcarbonyloxy); an aryloxycarbonyloxy group (preferably asubstituted or unsubstituted aryloxycarbonyloxy group having 7 to 30carbon atoms, e.g. phenoxycarbonyloxy, p-methoxyphenoxycarbonyloxy, orp-n-hexadecyloxyphenoxycarbonyloxy); an amino group (preferably an aminogroup, a substituted or unsubstituted alkylamino group having 1 to 30carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted arylamino group having 6to 30 carbon atoms, e.g. amino, methylamino, dimethylamino, anilino,N-methyl-anilino, or diphenylamino); an acylamino group (preferably aformylamino group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkylcarbonylaminogroup having 1 to 30 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstitutedarylcarbonylamino group having 6 to 30 carbon atoms, e.g. formylamino,acetylamino, pivaloylamino, lauroylamino, benzoylamino, or3,4,5-tri-n-octyloxyphenylcarbonylamino);an aminocarbonylamino group (preferably a substituted or unsubstitutedaminocarbonylamino group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms, e.g.carbamoylamino, N,N-dimethylaminocarbonylamino,N,N-diethylaminocarbonylamino, or morpholinocarbonylamino); analkoxycarbonylamino group (preferably a substituted or unsubstitutedalkoxycarbonylamino group having 2 to 30 carbon atoms, e.g.methoxycarbonylamino, ethoxycarbonylamino, t-butoxycarbonylamino,n-octadecyloxycarbonylamino, or N-methyl-methoxycarbonylamino); anaryloxycarbonylamino group (preferably a substituted or unsubstitutedaryloxycarbonylamino group having 7 to 30 carbon atoms, e.g.phenoxycarbonylamino, p-chlorophenoxycarbonylamino, orm-n-octyloxyphenoxycarbonylamino); a sulfamoylamino group (preferably asubstituted or unsubstituted sulfamoylamino group having 0 to 30 carbonatoms, e.g. sulfamoylamino, N,N-dimethylaminosulfonylamino, orN-n-octylaminosulfonylamino);an alkyl- or aryl-sulfonylamino group (preferably a substituted orunsubstituted alkylsulfonylamino group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms, or asubstituted or unsubstituted arylsulfonylamino group having 6 to 30carbon atoms, e.g. methylsulfonylamino, butylsulfonylamino,phenylsulfonylamino, 2,3,5-trichlorophenylsulfonylamino, orp-methylphenylsulfonylamino); a mercapto group; an alkylthio group(preferably a substituted or unsubstituted alkylthio group having 1 to30 carbon atoms, e.g. methylthio, ethylthio, or n-hexadecylthio); anarylthio group (preferably a substituted or unsubstituted arylthio grouphaving 6 to 30 carbon atoms, e.g. phenylthio, p-chlorophenylthio, orm-methoxyphenylthio); a heterocyclic thio group (preferably asubstituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic thio group having 2 to 30carbon atoms, e.g. 2-benzothiazolylthio or 1-phenyltetrazol-5-ylthio); asulfamoyl group (preferably a substituted or unsubstituted sulfamoylgroup having 0 to 30 carbon atoms, e.g. N-ethylsulfamoyl,N-(3-dodecyloxypropyl)sulfamoyl, N,N-dimethylsulfamoyl,N-acetylsulfamoyl, N-benzoylsulfamoyl, orN-(N′-phenylcarbamoyl)sulfamoyl); a sulfo group;an alkyl- or aryl-sulfinyl group (preferably a substituted orunsubstituted alkylsulfinyl group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms, or asubstituted or unsubstituted arylsulfinyl group having 6 to 30 carbonatoms, e.g. methylsulfinyl, ethylsulfinyl, phenylsulfinyl, orp-methylphenylsulfinyl); an alkyl- or aryl-sulfonyl group (preferably asubstituted or unsubstituted alkylsulfonyl group having 1 to 30 carbonatoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted arylsulfonyl group having 6 to30 carbon atoms, e.g. methylsulfonyl, ethylsulfonyl, phenylsulfonyl, orp-methylphenylsulfonyl); an acyl group (preferably a formyl group, asubstituted or unsubstituted alkylcarbonyl group having 2 to 30 carbonatoms, a substituted or unsubstituted arylcarbonyl group having 7 to 30carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic carbonylgroup having 4 to 30 carbon atoms, which is bonded to said carbonylgroup through a carbon atom, e.g. acetyl, pivaloyl, 2-chloroacetyl,stearoyl, benzoyl, p-n-octyloxyphenylcarbonyl, 2-pyridylcarbonyl, or2-furylcarbonyl);an aryloxycarbonyl group (preferably a substituted or unsubstitutedaryloxycarbonyl group having 7 to 30 carbon atoms, e.g. phenoxycarbonyl,o-chlorophenoxycarbonyl, m-nitrophenoxycarbonyl, orp-t-butylphenoxycarbonyl); an alkoxycarbonyl group (preferably asubstituted or unsubstituted alkoxycarbonyl group having 2 to 30 carbonatoms, e.g. methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, t-butoxycarbonyl, orn-octadecyloxycarbonyl); a carbamoyl group (preferably a substituted orunsubstituted carbamoyl group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms, e.g.carbamoyl, N-methylcarbamoyl, N,N-dimethylcarbamoyl,N,N-di-n-octylcarbamoyl, or N-(methylsulfonyl)carbamoyl); an aryl- orheterocyclic-azo group (preferably a substituted or unsubstituted arylazo group having 6 to 30 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstitutedheterocyclic azo group having 3 to 30 carbon atoms, e.g. phenylazo,p-chlorophenylazo, or 5-ethylthio-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-ylazo); an imidogroup (preferably N-succinimido or N-phthalimido);a phosphino group (preferably a substituted or unsubstituted phosphinogroup having 2 to 30 carbon atoms, e.g. dimethylphosphino,diphenylphosphino, or methylphenoxyphosphino); a phosphinyl group(preferably a substituted or unsubstituted phosphinyl group having 2 to30 carbon atoms, e.g. phosphinyl, dioctyloxyphosphinyl, ordiethoxyphosphinyl);a phosphinyloxy group (preferably a substituted orunsubstituted phosphinyloxy group having 2 to 30 carbon atoms, e.g.diphenoxyphosphinyloxy or dioctyloxyphosphinyloxy); a phosphinylaminogroup (preferably a substituted or unsubstituted phosphinylamino grouphaving 2 to 30 carbon atoms, e.g. dimethoxyphosphinylamino ordimethylaminophosphinylamino); and a silyl group (preferably asubstituted or unsubstituted silyl group having 3 to 30 carbon atoms,e.g. trimethylsilyl, t-butyldimethylsilyl, or phenyldimethylsilyl).

Among the substituents, with respect to one having a hydrogen atom, thehydrogen atom may be removed and be substituted by any of theabove-mentioned substituents. Examples thereof include: analkylcarbonylaminosulfonyl group, an arylcarbonylaminosulfonyl group, analkylsulfonylaminocarbonyl group, and an arylsulfonylaminocarbonylgroup. Specific examples thereof include a methylsulfonylaminocarbonylgroup, a p-methylphenylsulfonylaminocarbonyl group, anacetylaminosulfonyl group, and a benzoylaminosulfonyl group.

Examples of a substituent of the aryl portion of the substituted aralkylgroup are similar to the examples of a substituent of the substitutedaryl groups mentioned later.

In this specification, the aromatic groups refer to aryl groups andsubstituted aryl groups. To the aromatic groups, an aliphatic ring,another aromatic ring, or a heterocycle may be condensed. The aromaticgroup preferably has 6 to 40 carbon atoms, more preferably 6 to 30carbon atoms, and even more preferably 6 to 20 carbon atoms. Among theabove, phenyl or naphthyl is preferable as the aryl group, and phenyl isparticularly preferable.

The aryl portion of the substituted aryl group is similar to theabove-mentioned aryl groups. Examples of a substituent of thesubstituted aryl groups are similar to the above-mentioned examples ofthe substituent of the alkyl portions of the substituted alkyl group,the substituted alkenyl group, the substituted alkynyl group, and thesubstituted aralkyl group.

In this specification, the heterocyclic groups preferably contain a5-membered or 6-membered, saturated or unsaturated heterocycle. To theheterocycle, an aliphatic ring, an aromatic ring, or another heterocyclemay be condensed. Examples of a heteroatom of the heterocycle include B,N, O, S, Se, and Te. As the heteroatom, N, O, and S are preferable. Itis preferable that a carbon atom of the heterocycle has a free valence(monovalent) (the heterocyclic group is preferably to be bonded at acarbon atom thereof). The heterocyclic group preferably has 1 to 40carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to 30 carbon atoms, and even morepreferably 1 to 20 carbon atoms.

Examples of the saturated heterocycle include a pyrrolidine ring, amorpholine ring, a 2-bora-1,3-dioxolane ring, and 1,3-thiazolidine ring.Examples of the unsaturated heterocycles include an imidazole ring, athiazole ring, a benzothiazole ring, a benzoxazole ring, a benzotriazolering, a benzoselenazole ring, a pyridine ring, a pyrimidine ring, and aquinoline ring. The heterocyclic groups may have a substituent. Examplesof the substituent are similar to the previously-mentioned examples ofthe substituent of the alkyl portions of the substituted alkyl group,the substituted alkenyl group, the substituted alkynyl group, and thesubstituted aralkyl group.

The ultraviolet absorbent composition according to the present inventioncharacteristically contains an ultraviolet absorbent A represented byformula (1) and an ultraviolet absorbent B represented by formula (2-a)or (2-b) each having a particular absorption spectral shape, and acompound C, which is at least one kind of compound selected from asinglet oxygen scavenger, an antioxidant and a radical trapping agent.

The blending ratio of the ultraviolet absorbent A to the ultravioletabsorbent B represented by formula (2-a) or (2-b) may be arbitrary. Theratio of the ultraviolet absorbent A to the ultraviolet absorbent B(A:B) is arbitrary excluding 0:1 and 1:0. It is preferably 1:10 to 10:1,more preferably 1:5 to 5:1, particularly preferably 1:4 to 4:1, mostpreferably 1:2 to 2:1. The blending ratio in the present invention isexpressed by molar ratio. It is possible to convert the molar ratio tothe weight ratio, when the molecular weight of the ultraviolet absorbentis known, and thus, those with normal skill in the art can mix theingredients based on weight ratio.

The ultraviolet absorbent composition according to the present inventionpreferably includes two or less kinds of compounds, particularlypreferably one kind of compound, as the ultraviolet absorbent A. Itpreferably includes three or less kinds of compounds, more preferablytwo or less kinds of compounds, and particularly preferably one kind ofcompound, as the ultraviolet absorbent B.

The ultraviolet absorbent having a particular absorption spectral shapeaccording to the present invention particular will be described below.

The ultraviolet absorbent A represented by formula (1) has an absorptionmaximum wavelength preferably of 350 nm or more and 400 nm or less, anda half value width of 55 nm or less. Further, it is preferable to be themolar extinction coefficient at the maximum absorption wavelength of50,000 or more.

The ultraviolet absorbent B represented by formula (2-a) or (2-b)preferably has an absorption maximum wavelength of 350 nm or less.Further, the absorbance at 320 nm of the ultraviolet absorbent Brepresented by formula (2-a) or (2-b) preferably shows 30% or more ofthe absorbance at the absorption maximum wavelength. In particular, theabsorbance of the ultraviolet absorbent B at 320 nm is preferably 50% ormore of the absorbance at the absorption maximum wavelength.

As preferred ultraviolet absorbent B, for example, as shown in FIG. 1,the material can be classified into an ultraviolet absorbent (B-(1))having an absorption maximum wavelength of less than 320 nm and anultraviolet absorbent (B-(2)) having an absorption maximum wavelength offrom 320 nm to 350 nm. FIG. 1 shows preferable absorption spectra of theultraviolet absorbent A and the ultraviolet absorbent B for use in thepresent invention.

The absorption maximum wavelength and the half value specified in thepresent invention can be determined easily by a skilled person in theart. The measuring methods are described, for example, in ChemicalSociety of Japan Ed., “Experimental Chemistry Lecture, Chapter 7Spectroscopy II”, 4th Ed., (Maruzen, 1992), p. 180 to 186. Specifically,they are determined by dissolving a sample in a suitable solvent andmeasuring the spectrum in a spectrophotometer by using two quartz orglass cells for the sample and control. For example, the solvent for useis required to be capable of dissolving the sample, have no absorptionin the measurement wavelength range, have smaller interaction with thesolute molecule, and have relatively low volatility. Any solvent may beused, as long as it satisfies the conditions above. In the presentinvention, the measurement is made by using ethyl acetate (EtOAc) as thesolvent.

The absorption maximum wavelength and the half value width of the dyesin the present invention are determined by preparing a solution in ethylacetate as the solvent at a concentration of approximately 5×10⁻⁵mol·dm⁻³ and by measurement while using a quartz cell having an opticalpath length of 10 mm.

The spectral half value width is described, for example, in ChemicalSociety of Japan Ed., “Experimental Chemistry Lecture, Chapter 3 BasicOperation III”, 4th Ed., (Maruzen, 1991), p. 154. The half value widthis described in the literature above by using wave number as abscissa,but the half value width is plotted against wavelength in the presentinvention and thus, the unit of the half value width is nm.Specifically, it is defined as the width of the absorption band at anabsorbance of ½ of that at the absorption maximum wavelength and used asan indicator of the absorption spectral shape. A spectrum having asmaller half value width is a sharp spectrum, while that having a largehalf value width, a broad spectrum. An ultraviolet absorbent giving abroad spectrum has absorption in a wider range from the absorptionmaximum wavelength to the long-wavelength side. For this reason, forshielding the light in the long-wavelength ultraviolet range effectivelywithout yellowing, an ultraviolet absorbent showing a spectrum having asmaller half value width is preferable.

As described in Sumio Tokita, “Chemistry Seminar 9, Color Chemistry”,(Maruzen, 1982), p. 154 to 155, the absorption intensity, that is theoscillator intensity of light, is proportional with the integral of themolar extinction coefficient. When the absorption spectra issymmetrical, the oscillator intensity is proportional to the product ofthe absorbance at the absorption maximum wavelength and the half valuewidth (in such a case, the half value width is a value expressed bywavelength), which means that a compound having a spectrum having asmaller half value width has larger absorbance at the absorption maximumwavelength, even when the transition moment is the same. Such anultraviolet absorbent has an advantage that it is possible to block thelight in the range around the absorption maximum wavelength effectivelyeven when it is added in a small amount, but the absorbance dropsrapidly as the wavelength is shifted slightly from the absorptionmaximum wavelength, prohibiting light blocking over a wide range.

The ultraviolet absorbent A in the present invention preferably has anabsorption maximum wavelength of from 350 nm to 400 nm and a half valuewidth of 55 nm or less. The use of the ultraviolet absorbent A havingthe absorption of the above-described wavelength range in combinationwith the ultraviolet absorbent B is suitable for the coverage of theultraviolet absorption range. However, a possibility of yellow-colordevelopment of a composition has been expected. In view of thepossibility, it was difficult for a skilled person in the art to come upwith the combination of these ultraviolet absorbents. Though improvementof light deterioration resistance is expected to be achieved by the usetogether with a compound C, it was difficult for a skilled person in theart to come up with such combination because problems occur most oftenwith respect to solubility.

Hereinafter, the ultraviolet absorbent A represented by formula (1) foruse in the present invention will be described.

[In formula (1), R^(a1) and R^(a2) each independently represent ahydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substitutedor unsubstituted aryl group or a substituted or unsubstitutedheterocyclic group. R^(a1) and R^(a2) may bond to each other to form anitrogen-containing ring.R^(a3) and R^(a4) each independently represent a substituent having aHammett substituent constant σp value of 0.2 or more. R^(a3) and R^(a4)may bond to each other to form a ring.R^(a5), R^(a6) and R^(a7) each represent a hydrogen atom or a monovalentsubstituent. Any two of R^(a1), R^(a5), R^(a6) and R^(a7) may bond witheach other to form a ring.]

In formula (1), R^(a1) and R^(a2) each independently represent ahydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substitutedor unsubstituted aryl group or a substituted or unsubstitutedheterocyclic group. The alkyl group is preferably an alkyl group having1 to 20 carbon atoms, and examples thereof include a methyl group, anethyl group and a propyl group. The alkyl group may have one or moremonovalent substituents at any position of the alkyl group.

Examples of the monovalent substituent include a halogen atom (e.g., afluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, an iodine atom), analkyl group (e.g., methyl, ethyl), an aryl group (e.g., phenyl,naphthyl), a cyano group, a carboxyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group(e.g., methoxycarbonyl), an aryloxycarbonyl group (e.g.,phenoxycarbonyl), a substituted or unsubstituted carbamoyl group (e.g.,carbamoyl, N-phenylcarbamoyl, N,N-dimethylcarbamoyl), an alkylcarbonylgroup (e.g., acetyl), an arylcarbonyl group (e.g., benzoyl), a nitrogroup, a substituted or unsubstituted amino group (e.g., amino,dimethylamino, anilino), an acylamino group (e.g., acetamino,ethoxycarbonylamino), a sulfonamido group (e.g., methanesulfonamido), animido group (e.g., succinimido, phthalimido), an imino group (e.g.,benzylideneimino), a hydroxyl group, an alkoxy group (e.g., methoxy), anaryloxy group (e.g., phenoxy), an acyloxy group (e.g., acetoxy), analkylsulfonyloxy group (e.g., methanesulfonyloxy), an arylsulfonyloxygroup (e.g., benzenesulfonyloxy), a sulfo group, a substituted orunsubstituted sulfamoyl group (e.g., sulfamoyl, N-phenylsulfamoyl), analkylthio group (e.g., methylthio), an arylthio group (e.g.,phenylthio), an alkylsulfonyl group (e.g., methanesulfonyl), anarylsulfonyl group (e.g., benzenesulfonyl), and a heterocyclic group(e.g., pyridyl, morpholino). The substituent may be further substituted.In the case where there are a plurality of substituents, they may be thesame as or different from. Alternatively, they may bond together to forma ring.

The aryl group is preferably an aryl group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms,and examples thereof include a phenyl group and a naphthyl group. Thearyl group may have one or more monovalent substituents at any positionof the aryl group. The monovalent substituent is, for example, themonovalent substituent described above.

The heterocyclic group is preferably a heterocyclic group having 6 to 20carbon atoms, and examples thereof include a pyridyl group, a piperidinogroup, and a morpholino group. The heterocyclic group may have amonovalent substituent at an arbitrary position thereof. The monovalentsubstituent is, for example, the monovalent substituent described above.

R^(a1) and R^(a2) may bond to each other to form a nitrogen-containingring. The ring to be formed is preferably a nitrogen-containing 5- or6-membered ring. Examples of the ring include a pyrrolidine ring, apyrroline ring, an imidazolidine ring, an imidazoline ring, a oxazolinering, a thiazoline ring, a pyperidine ring, a morpholine ring, and apyperadine ring. These rings may have a monovalent substituent on theirrings. Examples of the substituent include examples of monovalentsubstituents described above. Further, the ring may form a ring-fusedstructure with an aromatic ring or the like.

R^(a3) and R^(a4) each independently represent a substituent having aHammett substituent constant σp value of 0.2 or more. The expression“Hammett substituent constant σ value” used herein will be brieflydescribed. Hammett's rule is a rule of thumb advocated by L. P. Hammettin 1935 for quantitatively considering the effect of substituents on thereaction or equilibrium of benzene derivatives, and the appropriatenessthereof is now widely recognized. The substituent constant determined inthe Hammett's rule involves σ_(p) value and σ_(m) value. These valuescan be found in a multiplicity of general publications, and are detailedin, for example, “Lange's Handbook of Chemistry” 12th edition by J. A.Dean, 1979 (McGraw-Hill), “Kagaku no Ryoiki” special issue, No. 122, pp.96 to 103, 1979 (Nankodo) and Chem. Rev., vol. 91, pp. 165 to 195, 1991.The substituent having a Hammett substituent constant σp of 0.2 or morein the present invention is an electron-withdrawing group. The σp valueis preferably 0.25 or more, more preferably 0.3 or more, andparticularly preferably 0.35 or more.

Examples of R^(a3) and R^(a4) include a cyano group (0.66), a carboxylgroup (—COOH: 0.45), an alkoxycarbonyl group (e.g. —COOMe: 0.45), anaryloxycarbonyl group (e.g. —COOPh: 0.44), a carbamoyl group (—CONH₂:0.36), an alkylcarbonyl group (e.g. —COMe: 0.50), an arylcarbonyl group(e.g. —COPh: 0.43), an alkylsulfonyl group (e.g. —SO₂Me: 0.72), anarylsulfonyl group (e.g. —SO₂Ph: 0.68) and the like. In the presentspecification, “Me” represents a methyl group and “Ph” represents aphenyl group. The values in parenthesis are the σp values of typicalsubstituents, as extracted from Chem. Rev., 1991, vol. 91, p. 165 to195.

R^(a3) and R^(a4) may bond to each other to form a ring. The σp valuesof R^(a3) and R^(a4) may not be specified when, for example, a ring isformed by R^(a3) and R^(a4). However, the σp values thereof when a ringis formed are defined, assuming that partial ring structures aresubstituted respectively as R^(a3) and R^(a4), in the present invention.For example, when a 1,3-indandione ring is formed, benzoyl groups areconsidered to be substituted respectively as R^(a3) and R^(a4).

R^(a5), R^(a6) and R^(a)7 each independently represent a hydrogen atomor a monovalent substituent. The monovalent substituent is, for example,the monovalent substituent described above. It is preferably a hydrogenatom, an alkyl group, an aryl group or an alkoxy group.

Any two of R^(a1), R^(a5), R^(a6) and R^(a)7 may bind with each other toform a ring. A combination of binding is not particularly limited. Inthe case of forming a ring, the ring is preferably formed by a pair ofR^(a1) and R^(a5), or a pair of R^(a5) and R^(a7). As the ring to beformed, it is more preferable to form 4- to 8-membered ring containingthe a carbon atom or nitrogen atom as previously defined in theabove-described formula (1) is more preferable.

The ultraviolet absorbent represented by formula (1) may be anultraviolet absorbent represented by formula (1-2) or (1-3). Next, theultraviolet absorbent represented by formula (1-2) or (1-3) will bedescribed in detail.

[In formula (1-2),

R^(21a) represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkylgroup, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, or a substituted orunsubstituted heterocyclic group;

R^(a31) and R^(a41) each represent —CN, —COOR^(a25), —CONR^(a26)R^(a27),—COR^(a28) or —SO₂R^(a29) (R^(a25), R^(a26), R^(a27) and R^(a28) eachindependently represent a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstitutedalkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, or a substitutedor unsubstituted heterocyclic group; R^(a26) and R^(a27) may bond toeach other to form a nitrogen-containing ring; and R^(a29) represents asubstituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstitutedaryl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group);

R^(a61) and R^(a71) each represent a hydrogen atom or a monovalentsubstituent; R^(a61) and R^(a71) may bind to each other to form a ring;and

Z^(a1) represents a group of atoms necessary for forming a 4- to8-membered ring with the carbon atom and the nitrogen atom.]

[In formula (1-3),

R^(a12) and R^(a22) each independently represent a hydrogen atom, analkyl group, an aryl group, or a heterocyclic group; R^(a12) and R^(a22)may bond to each other to form a nitrogen-containing ring

R^(a32) and R^(a42) each represent —CN, —COOR^(a35), —CONR^(a36)R^(a37),—COR³⁸ or —SO₂R^(a39) (R^(a35), R^(a36), R^(a37) and R^(a38) eachindependently represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group,or a heterocyclic group; R^(a36) and R^(a37) may bond to each other toform a nitrogen-containing ring; and R^(a39) represents an alkyl group,an aryl group, or a heterocyclic group);

R^(a62) represents a hydrogen atom or a monovalent substituent; and

Z^(a2) represents a group of atoms necessary for forming a 4- to8-membered ring with the carbon atoms.]

In formula (1-2), R^(a21) represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted orunsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, ora substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group. Examples of thesubstituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, the substituted orunsubstituted aryl group, and the substituted or unsubstitutedheterocyclic group are the same as those of R^(a1) in theabove-described formula (1), and preferable examples thereof are alsothe same as preferable examples of R^(a1).

R^(a31) and R^(a41) each represent —CN, —COOR^(a25), —CONR^(a26)R^(a27),—COR^(a28) or —SO₂R^(a29). R^(a25), R^(a26), R^(a27) and R^(a28) eachindependently represent a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstitutedalkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, or a substitutedor unsubstituted heterocyclic group. R^(a29) represents a substituted orunsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, ora substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group. Examples of thesubstituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, the substituted orunsubstituted aryl group, and the substituted or unsubstitutedheterocyclic group, all of which are represented by R^(a25) to R^(a29)are the same as those of R^(a1) in the above-described formula (1), andpreferable examples thereof are also the same as preferable examples ofR^(a1). R^(a26) and R^(a27) may bond to each other to form anitrogen-containing ring. The ring to be formed is preferably anitrogen-containing 5- to 8-membered ring.

R^(a61) and R^(a71) each represent a hydrogen atom or a monovalentsubstituent. R^(a61) and R^(a71) may bind to each other to form a ring.R^(a61) and R^(a71) each have the same meaning as those of R^(a6) andR^(a7) in formula (1), respectively, and the favorable examples thereofare also the same.

Z^(a1) represents a group of atoms necessary for forming a 4- to8-membered ring with the carbon atom and the nitrogen atom. Examples ofthe ring include a pyrrolidine ring, a pyrroline ring, an imidazolidinering, an imidazoline ring, a oxazoline ring, a thiazoline ring, apyperidine ring, a morpholine ring, and a pyperadine ring. These ringsmay have a monovalent substituent. Examples of the substituent includeexamples of the monovalent substituent as described above. Further,these rings may form a ring-fused structure with an aromatic ring or thelike.

In formula (1-3), R^(a12) and R^(a22) each independently represent ahydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substitutedor unsubstituted aryl group, or a substituted or unsubstitutedheterocyclic group. Examples of the substituted or unsubstituted alkylgroup, the substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, and the substitutedor unsubstituted heterocyclic group are the same as those of R^(a1) andR^(a2) in the above-described formula (1), and preferable examplesthereof are also the same as preferable examples of R^(a1) and R^(a2).R^(a12) and R^(a22) may bond to each other to form a nitrogen-containingring. Examples of the ring to be formed are the same as those of R^(a1)and R^(a2) in the above-described formula (1), and preferable examplesthereof are also the same as preferable examples of R^(a1) and R^(a2).

R^(a32) and R^(a42) each represent —CN, —COOR^(a35), —CONR^(a36)R^(a37),—COR^(a”) or —SO₂R^(a39). R^(a35) to R^(a39) each have the same meaningas those of R^(a25) to R^(a29) in formula (1-2), respectively, and thefavorable examples thereof are also the same.

R^(a62) represents a hydrogen atom or a monovalent substituent. R^(a62)has the same meaning as that of R^(a6) in formula (1), and the favorableexamples thereof are also the same.

Z^(a2) represents a group of atoms necessary for forming a 4- to8-membered ring with the carbon atoms. Examples of the ring include acyclopentene ring, a cyclohexene ring, a cycloheptene ring, a pyrrolinering, an imidazoline ring, a oxazoline ring, a thiazoline ring, an oxolering, an azine ring, an oxazine ring, and a diazine ring. These ringsmay have a monovalent substituent. Examples of the substituent includeexamples of the monovalent substituent as described above. Further,these rings may form a ring-fused structure with an aromatic ring or thelike.

In the ultraviolet absorbent represented by formula (1-3), it ispreferable that R^(a32) is a substituent selected from —CN, —COOR^(a35)or —SO₂R^(a39), and R^(a42) is a substituent selected from —CN,—COOR^(a35) or —SO₂R^(a39). However, both the case in which both ofR^(a32) and R^(a42) are —COO R^(a35), and the case in which R^(a32) andR^(a42) are a combination of —CN and —COO R^(a35), are excluded.

Further, with respect to the ultraviolet absorbent represented by theabove-described formula (1-3), at least one of R^(a12) and R^(a22) ispreferably a substituent selected from the group consisting of an allylgroup, a hydroxyethyl group, and a benzyl group. Especially, it ispreferable that both of R^(a31) and R^(a32) are the same substituentselected from these groups.

The ultraviolet absorbent represented by any one of the above-describedformulae (1), (1-2) and (1-3) can be synthesized with reference to knownpatent bulletins and literatures, for example, from page 6, upper rightcolumn, line 1 to page 8, upper right column, line 15 in JP-A-51-56620,page 8, left column, line 1 to right column, line 3 in JP-A-53-128333;page 8, upper right column, line 10 to lower right column, line 5 inJP-A-62-56957; from page 10, column 20, line 19 to page 11, column 22,line 4 in JP-B-1-53455; page 10, upper left column, lines 6 to 18 inJP-A-4-257486; page 66, paragraph No. 0115 to paragraph No. 0117 inJapanese Patent Application National phase Publication No. 2005-538072;and Experimental Section of J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1247.

Hereinafter, specific examples of the ultraviolet absorbent representedby any one of formulae (1), (1-2) and (1-3) for use in the presentinvention will be shown, but the present invention should not beconsidered to be limited thereto.

The ultraviolet absorbent represented by any one of formulae (1), (1-2)and (1-3) for use in the present invention may have a tautomer,depending on its structure and the environment to which the compound isexposed. In the present specification, only a typical tautomer isdescribed, but the other tautomer different from that described in thepresent specification are also included in the compound of the presentinvention.

The ultraviolet absorbent represented by any one of formulae (1), (1-2)and (1-3) for use in the present invention may have an isotopic element(such as ²H, ³H, ¹³C, ¹⁵N, ¹⁷O, or ¹⁸O).

A polymer having the structure of the ultraviolet absorbent representedby any one of formulae (1), (1-2), and (1-3) above in its repeating unitas the ultraviolet absorptive group can also be used favorably in thepresent invention. Hereinafter, examples of the repeating unitcontaining the structure of the ultraviolet absorbent represented byformula (1), (1-2), or (1-3) above will be shown.

The polymer may be a homopolymer having one kind of repeating unit or acopolymer having two or more kinds of repeating units. It may be acopolymer having another repeating unit additionally. Hereinafter,examples of the other repeating unit are shown.

Examples of the polymer having the structure of the ultravioletabsorbent in the repeating unit are described, for example, inJP-B-1-53455 (“JP-B” means examined Japanese patent publication), leftcolumn, line 39 to p. 12, right column, line 38; JP-A-61-189530, p. 3,right upper column, line 8 to p. 7, left lower column, line 15;JP-A-62-260152, right lower column, line 3 to p. 12, right upper column,line 10; JP-A-63-53544, left upper column, line 1 to p. 15, right lowercolumn, line 19; JP-A-63-56651, p. 2, right upper column, line 10 to p.14, left lower column, line 3; EP Patent No. 27242, p. 4, line 29 to p.16, line 34; and WO 2006/009451 pamphlet, p. 3, line 28 to p. 26,line 1. The polymer can be prepared with reference to the methodsdescribed in these Patent Documents.

As the ultraviolet absorbent A represented by any one of formulae (1),(1-2) and (1-3) for use in the present invention, the exemplifiedcompound (47) is most preferable.

A content of the above-described ultraviolet absorbent A in theultraviolet absorbent composition of the present invention is in therange of preferably from 5 to 85% by mole, and more preferably from 20to 70% by mole.

Next, the ultraviolet absorbent B represented by formula (2-a) or (2-b)for use in the present invention will be described.

(In formula (2-a), X₁ and X₂ each independently represent a hydrogenatom, a halogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a substituted or unsubstitutedalkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group, a substitutedor unsubstituted alkoxy group, a substituted or unsubstitutedalkylsulfonyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted arylsulfonyl group,a sulfonic acid group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyloxycarbonylgroup, a substituted or unsubstituted aryloxycarbonyl group or asubstituted or unsubstituted amino group; and s₁ and s₂ eachindependently represent an integer of 1 to 3.)

(In formula (2-b), X₁ represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, ahydroxyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, asubstituted or unsubstituted phenyl group, a substituted orunsubstituted alkoxy group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkylsulfonylgroup, a substituted or unsubstituted arylsulfonyl group, a sulfonicacid group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyloxycarbonyl group, asubstituted or unsubstituted aryloxycarbonyl group, or a substituted orunsubstituted amino group; s¹ represents an integer of 1 to 3;

Lg represents a divalent substituent or a single bond; w represents 0 or1;

tb represents 1 or 2; and when tb is 1, X₃ represents a hydrogen atom, ahalogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkylgroup, a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group, a substituted orunsubstituted alkoxy group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkylsulfonylgroup, a substituted or unsubstituted arylsulfonyl group, a sulfonicacid group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyloxycarbonyl group, asubstituted or unsubstituted aryloxycarbonyl group, or a substituted orunsubstituted amino group; and when tb is 2, X₃ represents a divalentsubstituent.)

(Formula (2-a))

X₁ and X₂ each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom,a hydroxyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, asubstituted or unsubstituted phenyl group, a substituted orunsubstituted alkoxy group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkylsulfonylgroup, a substituted or unsubstituted arylsulfonyl group, a sulfonicacid group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyloxycarbonyl group, asubstituted or unsubstituted aryloxycarbonyl group, or a substituted orunsubstituted amino group. X₁ and X₂ each are preferably a hydrogenatom, a chlorine atom, a hydroxyl group, a substituted or unsubstitutedalkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstitutedaryl group having 6 to 24 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstitutedalkoxy group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an alkyloxycarbonyl grouphaving 2 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryloxycarbonyl group having 7 to 24carbon atoms, a sulfonic acid group or a substituted or unsubstitutedamino group having 1 to 16 carbon atoms; and particularly preferably ahydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxygroup having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, a sulfonic acid group or asubstituted or unsubstituted amino group having 1 to 16 carbon atoms.

(Formula (2-b))

tb is 1 or 2, w is 0 or 1, and s1 is an integer of 1 to 3.

The substituent X₁ represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, ahydroxyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, asubstituted or unsubstituted phenyl group, a substituted orunsubstituted alkoxy group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkylsulfonylgroup, a substituted or unsubstituted arylsulfonyl group, a sulfonicacid group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyloxycarbonyl group, asubstituted or unsubstituted aryloxycarbonyl group, or a substituted orunsubstituted amino group.

X₁ is preferably a hydrogen atom, a chlorine atom, a hydroxyl group, asubstituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, asubstituted or unsubstituted aryl group having 6 to 24 carbon atoms, asubstituted or unsubstituted alkoxy group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, asubstituted or unsubstituted alkyloxycarbonyl group having 2 to 18carbon atoms, an aryloxycarbonyl group having 7 to 24 carbon atoms, asulfonic acid group or a substituted or unsubstituted amino group having1 to 16 carbon atoms; and particularly preferably a hydrogen atom, ahydroxyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy group having 1 to18 carbon atoms, a sulfonic acid group or a substituted, orunsubstituted amino group having 1 to 16 carbon atoms.

-Lg- represents a divalent linking group or a single bond. w representsan integer of 0 or 1. The case where w is 0 (zero) means that X₃directly bonds with the benzene ring without involving Lg, that is, -Lg-represents a single bond.

The divalent linking group -Lg- is explained. The divalent linking groupLg is a divalent substituent represented by formula (b).

Formula (b)

-(Lg₁)_(mg1)-(Lg₂)_(mg2)-(Lg₃)_(mg3)-(Lg₄)_(mg4)-(Lg5)_(mg5)-

In formula (b), mg1, mg2, mg3, mg4 and mg5 each represent an integer of0 to 2.

Lg₁, Lg₂, Lg₃, Lg₄ and Lg₅ each independently represent —CO—, —O—,—SO₂—, —SO—, —NRg_(L)-, a substituted or unsubstituted divalent alkylgroup, a substituted or unsubstituted divalent alkenyl group, or asubstituted or unsubstituted divalent aryl group. Rg_(L) represents ahydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group or asubstituted or unsubstituted aryl group.

Examples of Rg_(L) include a hydrogen atom, a methyl group, an ethylgroup, a propyl group, a hexyl group, an octyl group, a phenyl group anda naphthyl group. The group may be substituted with one or moremonovalent substituents at any position of the alkyl or aryl groups. Themonovalent substituent is, for example, the monovalent substituentdescribed above. Rg_(L) is preferably a substituted or unsubstitutedalkyl group having 3 to 20 carbon atoms, or a substituted orunsubstituted aryl group having 6 to 14 carbon atoms; and morepreferably a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 6 to 12carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group having 6 to10 carbon atoms.

That is, preferred examples of the divalent substituent -Lg- include—O—, —O—CO—C₂H₄—CO—O—, —O—C₄H₈—O—, —O—CO—C₃H₆—, —NH—CO—C₃H₆—CO—NH—,—NH—CO—C₄H₈—, —CH₂—, —C₂H₄—, —C₃H₆—, —C₄H₈—, —C₅H₁₀—, —C₈H₁₆—,—C₄H₈—CO—O—, —C₆H₄—C₆H₄— and —NH—SO₂—C₃H₆—.

When tb is 1, X₃ represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a hydroxylgroup, a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group, a substituted orunsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy group,a substituted or unsubstituted alkylsulfonyl group, a substituted orunsubstituted arylsulfonyl group, a sulfonic acid group, a substitutedor unsubstituted alkyloxycarbonyl group, a substituted or unsubstitutedaryloxycarbonyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted amino group.

When tb is 1, X₃ is preferably a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, achlorine atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 18carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group having 6 to 24carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy group having 1 to 18carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyloxycarbonyl grouphaving 2 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryloxycarbonyl group having 7 to 24carbon atoms, a sulfonic acid group, or a substituted or unsubstitutedamino group having 1 to 16 carbon atoms.

X₃ is particularly preferably a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, asubstituted or unsubstituted alkoxy group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, asulfonic acid group, or a substituted or unsubstituted amino grouphaving 1 to 16 carbon atoms.

When tb is 2, X₃ represents a divalent substituent.

When tb is 2, examples of X₃ include the same examples as theabove-described divalent substituent -L-. When tb is 2, X₃ is preferably—CH₂—, —C₄H₈—, —O—C₄H₈—O—, —O—CO—C₂H₄—CO—O—, or —NH—CO—C₃H₆—CO—NH—.

In formula (2-b), tb is particularly preferably 1.

That is, the component of formula (2-b) is preferable combined asfollows.

Specifically, when tb is 1, a preferable combination is that

X₁ is a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a substituted or unsubstitutedalkoxy group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, a sulfonic acid group, or asubstituted or unsubstituted amino group having 1 to 16 carbon atoms;

Lg is —O—, —O—CO—C₂H₄—CO—O—, —O—C₄H₈—O—, —O—CO—C₃H₆—,—NH—CO—C₃H₆—CO—NH—, —NH—CO—C₄H₈—, —CH₂—, —C₂H₄—, —C₃H₆—, —C₄H₈—,—C₅H₁₀—, —C₈H₁₆—, —C₄H₈—CO—O—, —C₆H₄—C₆H₄—, —NH—SO₂—C₃H₆—, or a singlebond; and

X₃ is a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a chlorine atom, a substitutedor unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, a substitutedor unsubstituted aryl group having 6 to 24 carbon atoms, a substitutedor unsubstituted alkoxy group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, a substitutedor unsubstituted alkyloxycarbonyl group having 2 to 18 carbon atoms, anaryloxycarbonyl group having 7 to 24 carbon atoms, a sulfonic acidgroup, or a substituted or unsubstituted amino group having 1 to 16carbon atoms.

When tb is 2, a preferable combination is that

X₁ is a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a substituted or unsubstitutedalkoxy group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, a sulfonic acid group, or asubstituted or unsubstituted amino group having 1 to 16 carbon atoms;

Lg is —O—, —O—CO—C₂H₄—CO—O—, —O—C₄H₈—O—, —O—CO—C₃H₆—,—NH—CO—C₃H₆—CO—NH—,

—NH—CO—C₄H₈—, —CH₂—, —C₂H₄—, —C₃H₆—, —C₄H₈—, —C₅H₁₀—, —C₈H₁₆—,—C₄H₈—CO—O—, —C₆H₄—C₆H₄—, —NH—SO₂—C₃H₆—, or a single bond; andX₃ is —CH₂—, —C₄H₈—, —O—C₄H₈—O—, —O—CO—C₂H₄—CO—O—, or—NH—CO—C₃H₆—CO—NH—.

Typical examples of the ultraviolet absorbent B represented by formula(2-a) or (2-b) include 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone,2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone, 2-hydroxy-4-octyloxybenzophenone,2-hydroxy-4-decyloxybenzophenone, 2-hydroxy-4-dodecyloxybenzophenone,2-hydroxy-4-benzyloxybenzophenone,2-hydroxy-4-(2-hydroxy-3-methacryloxypropoxy)benzophenone,2-hydroxy-4-methoxy-5-sulfobenzophenone,2-hydroxy-4-methoxy-5-sulfobenzophenone trihydrate,2-hydroxy-4-methoxy-2′-carboxybenzophenone,2-hydroxy-4-octadecyloxybenzophenone,2-hydroxy-4-diethylamino-2′-hexyloxycarbonylbenzophenone,2,2′-dihydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone,2,2′,4,4′-tetrahydroxybenzophenone,2,2′-dihydroxy-4,4′-dimethoxybenzophenone,1,4-bis(4-benzyloxy-3-hydroxyphenoxy)butane, hexyl2-(4-diethylamino-2-hydroxybenzoyl)benzoate,1,4-bis(4-benzoyl-3-hydroxyphenoxy)butane,2-hydroxy-4-octoxybenzophenone, and2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone-5-sulfonic acid.

As the ultraviolet absorbent B represented by formula (2-a) or (2-b),hexyl 2-(4-diethylamino-2-hydroxybenzoyl)benzoate,2,2′-dihydroxy-4,4′-dimethoxybenzophenone,2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone,1,4-bis(4-benzoyl-3-hydroxyphenoxy)butane,2-hydroxy-4-octoxybenzophenone,2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone-5-sulfonic acid,2,2′,4,4′-tetrahydroxybenzophenone and 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone arefurther preferable.

Further preferred examples thereof include:

(B-1) 2,2′-hydroxy-4,4′-dimethoxybenzophenone;(B-2) 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone;(B-3) 2,2′,4,4′-tetrahydroxybenzophenone;(B-4) 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone;(B-5) 2-hydroxy-4-octoxybenzophenone; and(B-6) 1,4-bis(4-benzoyl-3-hydroxyphenoxy)butane.

Furthermore preferred examples thereof include2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone and 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone; and mostpreferred examples thereof include 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone.

The compound (B-1) has the following structure, and is commerciallyavailable as trade name Uvinul 3049 (manufactured by BASF Japan Ltd.).

The compound (B-2) has the following structure, and is commerciallyavailable as trade name Visorb 110 (manufactured by KYODO CHEMICAL CO.,LTD.).

The compound (B-3) has the following structure, and is commerciallyavailable as trade name Uvinul 3050 (manufactured by BASF Japan Ltd.).

The compound (B-4) has the following structure, and is commerciallyavailable as trade name Uvinul 3000 (manufactured by BASF Japan Ltd.).

The compound (B-5) has the following structure, and is commerciallyavailable as trade name Chimassorb 81 (manufactured by Ciba SpecialtyChemicals).

The compound (B-6) has the following structure, and is commerciallyavailable as trade name Seesorb 151 (manufactured by SHIPRO KASEI KAISHALTD.).

The ultraviolet absorbent B preferably shows 30% or more, morepreferably of 50% or more, of absorbance at 320 nm of the absorbance atthe absorption maximum wavelength. If the absorbance at 320 nm is lessthan 30% of the absorbance at the absorption maximum wavelength, awavelength range that cannot be entirely covered by both the ultravioletabsorbent A and the ultraviolet absorbent B generates in the ultravioletrange (250 nm to 400 nm). The absorption maximum wavelength of theultraviolet absorbent B is preferably 350 nm or less.

As the ultraviolet absorbent B that has an absorption maximum wavelengthof 350 nm or less and showing 30% or more of absorbance at 320 nm of theabsorbance at the absorption maximum wavelength, two types of theultraviolet absorbent, i.e., the ultraviolet absorbent B-(1) having anabsorption maximum wavelength of 320 nm or less and the ultravioletabsorbent B-(2) having an absorption maximum wavelength of from 320 nmto 350 nm, are considered as described above. Both are preferable.

For example, it is especially preferable that the ultraviolet absorbentB-(1) having an absorption maximum wavelength of 320 nm or less andshowing 30% or more of absorbance at 320 nm is used when any othershort-wavelength ultraviolet-absorbing element is not present at thetime of, for example, kneading the ultraviolet absorbent into a plasticmolding, or a polymer. On account that any other element capable ofabsorbing a short-wavelength ultraviolet of 300 nm or less is notpresent at the time of kneading the ultraviolet absorbent into theplastic molding, or the polymer, usage of the ultraviolet absorbentB-(1) enables to prevent the plastic molding itself and its content fromultraviolet lays without another short-wavelength ultravioletrange-absorbing filter. Further, such unexpected effects that bothcompatibility with respect to a polymer and light fastness are improvedare achieved by using the ultraviolet absorbent A together.

It is especially preferable that the ultraviolet absorbent B-(2) havingan absorption maximum wavelength of 320 nm or more and 350 nm or lessand showing 30% or more of absorbance at 320 nm is used when anothershort-wavelength ultraviolet-absorbing element is present at the timeof, for example, coating the ultraviolet absorbent on a glass film ordissolving the ultraviolet absorbent with a polymer to coat on asubstrate. The ultraviolet absorbent B-(2) is excellent in shieldingefficiency (capability) light of around 320 nm, and is capable ofefficiently absorbing a short-wavelength ultraviolet range of 300 nm orless. However, it is sometimes difficult for the ultraviolet absorbentB-(2) to absorb the short-wavelength ultraviolet range. Accordingly, itis preferable that the ultraviolet absorbent B-(2) is coated on apolymer or a glass substrate capable of shielding efficiently theshort-wavelength ultraviolet range and capable of using as a filter.Further, in the solvent-coating process, improvement of both solubilityto the solvent (for example, ethyl acetate, methylethyl ketone, toluene)and light fastness are unexpectedly achieved by using the ultravioletabsorbent B-(2) in combination with the ultraviolet absorbent A that isused in the present invention.

A content of the above-described ultraviolet absorbent B in theultraviolet absorbent composition of the present invention is in therange of preferably from 15 to 95 mol % by mole, and more preferablyfrom 30 to 80 mol % by mole.

Next, the compound C for use in the present invention will be describedin detail.

The compound C for use in the present invention is at least one kind ofcompound selected from a singlet oxygen scavenger, an antioxidant and aradical trapping agent. In the present specification, the term “asinglet oxygen trapping agent” refers to a compound or composition thattraps singlet oxygen. The singlet oxygen quencher may be selected fromquenchers mentioned in, for example, already known publications such aspatent specifications. Specific examples thereof include those mentionedin JP-A-58-175693, JP-A-59-81194, JP-A-60-18387, JP-A-60-19586,JP-A-60-19587, JP-A-60-35054, JP-A-60-36190, JP-A-60-36191,JP-A-60-44554, JP-A-60-44555, JP-A-60-44389, JP-A-60-44390,JP-A-60-54892, JP-A-60-47069, JP-A-63-209995, JP-A-4-25492,JP-B-1-38680, JP-B-6-26028, German Patent No. 350399, and p. 1141 of theOctober, 1992 issue of Journal of the Chemical Society of Japan.

In the present specification, the term “an antioxidant” refers to acompound or composition that prevents oxidation. For example, it ispossible to use materials as described in Kobunshi Zairyo noRekka—Henshoku mekanizumu to sono Anteika Gijutsu-Nouhau-Syu (Mechanismof Deterioration—Discoloration of Polymeric materials and TheirStabilization Technique-Collection of Know-how), published by Kabushikikaisha Gijutsu Jyoho Kyokai (Gijutsu Jyoho Kyokai, 2006), pages 42 to71.

In the present specification, the term “a radical trapping agent” refersto a compound or composition that traps various kinds of radicals. Forexample, it is possible to use materials as described in SaishinTenkazai Zensyu-Kinosei Fuyo no tameno Saiteki Haigo—Hyoka (Completework of Current Additives-Optimal Composition for ImpartingFunctionality—Evaluation—), published by Kabushiki kaisha Gijutsu JyohoKyokai (Gijutsu Jyoho Kyokai, 2006), pages 23 to 37.

Examples of such compound C include Seesorb 612 NH (trade name, ShiproCo., Ltd.), organic nickel-series compounds such as Irgastab 2002 (CibaSpecialty Chemicals), hindered amine-series compounds such as Tinuvin744 (Ciba Specialty Chemicals), phenol-series compounds such as Irganox1076 (Ciba Specialty Chemicals), amine-series compounds such asSumilizer 9A (Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.,), sulfur-containing compoundssuch as Sumilizer TPM (Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.), andphosphorus-containing compounds such as Sumilizer TPPR (SumitomoChemical Co., Ltd.) (each trade name). The composition of the presentinvention contains at least one of these compounds.

A content of the compound C in the composition of the present inventionis in the range of preferably from 0.01 to 10, more preferably from 0.02to 7, further preferably from 0.02 to 5, and still further preferablyfrom 0.02 to 2, in terms of a ratio of a total number of moles of thecompound C to the sum of mole numbers of the ultraviolet absorbent A andmole numbers of the ultraviolet absorbent B.

The compound C is preferably a compound represented by formula (3-a) or(3-b), particularly preferably a compound represented by formula (3-b).Next, the compound represented by formula (3-a) or (3-b) will bedescribed in detail.

[In formula (3-a), R¹¹ represents a hydrogen atom, an aliphatic group,an aromatic group, a heterocyclic group bound via a carbon atom, or ahydrolysable protective group; R¹², R¹³, R¹⁴, R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ eachindependently represent a hydrogen atom or a substituent; and R¹¹ andR¹², R¹² and R¹³, R¹³ and R¹⁴, R¹⁴ and R¹⁵, R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ and/or R¹⁶ andR¹¹ may bond to each other to form a ring; andin formula (3-b), R²¹ represents a hydrogen atom, an aliphatic group, anacyl group, a sulfonyl group, a sulfinyl group, an oxy radical group ora hydroxyl group; Q represents a group of nonmetallic atoms necessaryfor forming a 5-, 6- or 7-membered ring; R²², R²³, R²⁴ and R²⁵ eachindependently represents a hydrogen atom, an aliphatic group, anaromatic group, or a heterocyclic group bound via a carbon atom; and R²¹and R²², R²² and R²³, R²⁴ and R²⁵ and/or R²¹ and R²⁴ may bond to eachother to form a ring.]

In formula (3-a), the hydrolysable protective group represented by R¹¹is a silyl group, a phosphate group, or a group represented by thefollowing formula (4):

R¹¹¹—Y¹¹¹—Z¹¹¹—  Formula (4)

wherein R¹¹¹ represents an aliphatic group, an aromatic group, or aheterocyclic group bound via a carbon atom; Y¹¹¹ represents a singlebond, —O—, —S—, —N(R¹¹²)—, —C—, or its bound group; R¹¹² represents ahydrogen atom, an aliphatic group, an aromatic group, a heterocyclicgroup bound via a carbon atom, an acyl group, or a sulfonyl group; andZ¹¹¹ represents —CO— or —SO₂—.

R¹¹ is preferably a hydrogen atom, an aliphatic group having 1 to 20carbon atoms, an aromatic group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, aheterocyclic group having 2 to 20 carbon atoms bound via a carbon atom,or a hydrolysable protective group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, morepreferably a hydrogen atom, an aliphatic group having 1 to 10 carbonatoms, or a hydrolysable protective group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms,still more preferably a hydrogen atom, an aliphatic group having 1 to 8carbon atoms, a silyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, a phosphategroup having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, or a hydrolysable protective grouphaving 1 to 10 carbon atoms bound via a carbonyl group, further morepreferably a hydrogen atom, an aliphatic group having 1 to 4 carbonatoms, a silyl group having 3 to 6 carbon atoms, a phosphate grouphaving 2 to 8 carbon atoms, or a hydrolysable protective group having 1to 8 carbon atoms bound via a carbonyl group, even more preferably ahydrogen atom, a trimethylsilyl group, a dimethyl or diethyl phosphategroup, a benzoyl group, or an acetyl group, most preferably a hydrogenatom.

R¹², R¹³, R¹⁴, R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ each are preferably a hydrogen atom, ahalogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, anaryl group, a cyano group, a hydroxyl group, a carboxyl group, an alkoxygroup, an aryloxy group, a silyloxy group, an acyloxy group, acarbamoyloxy group, an alkoxycarbonyloxy group, an aryloxycarbonyloxygroup, an amino group, an acylamino group, an aminocarbonylamino group,an alkoxycarbonylamino group, an aryloxycarbonylamino group, asulfamoylamino group, an alkyl- or aryl-sulfonylamino group, a mercaptogroup, an alkylthio group, an arylthio group, a sulfamoyl group, a sulfogroup, an alkyl- or aryl-sulfinyl group, an alkyl- or aryl-sulfonylgroup, an acyl group, an aryloxycarbonyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group,a carbamoyl group, an imido group, a phosphino group, a phosphinylgroup, a phosphinyloxy group, a phosphinylamino group or a silyl group;further preferably a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group, analkenyl group, an aryl group, a cyano group, a hydroxyl group, acarboxyl group, an alkoxy group, an aryloxy group, a silyloxy group, anacyloxy group, a carbamoyloxy group, an alkoxycarbonyloxy group, anaryloxycarbonyloxy group, an amino group, an acylamino group, analkylthio group, an arylthio group, an acyl group, an aryloxycarbonylgroup, an alkoxycarbonyl group, a carbamoyl group, or a silyl group;furthermore preferably a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group,an aryl group, a hydroxyl group, an alkoxy group, an acyloxy group, anacylamino group, a carbamoyloxy group or an alkylthio group; furthermorepreferably a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group, a hydroxylgroup, an alkoxy group or an acylamino group; and most preferably ahydrogen atom or an alkyl group. It is preferably that one or both ofR¹² and R¹⁶ is/are a tertiary alkyl group.

In the formula (3-b), R²¹ is preferably a hydrogen atom, an aliphaticgroup having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, an acyl group having 2 to 10 carbonatoms, an oxy radical group or a hydroxyl group; more preferably ahydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, an acyl grouphaving 2 to 7 carbon atoms, an oxy radical group or a hydroxyl group;further preferably a hydrogen atom, an acetyl group, an oxy radicalgroup or a hydroxyl group; and most preferably a hydrogen atom. Each ofR²², R²³, R²⁴ and R²⁵ is preferably a hydrogen atom or an aliphaticgroup having 1 to 10 carbon atoms; more preferably a hydrogen atom or analkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms; further more preferably ahydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 2 carbon atoms; and mostpreferably all of R²² to R²⁵ are a methyl group. Q is preferably a groupof nonmetallic atoms necessary for forming a 5- to 7-membered ringselected from a carbon atom, a hydrogen atom, an oxygen atom, a sulfuratom and a nitrogen atom; more preferably a group of nonmetallic atomsnecessary for forming a 5- to 7-membered ring selected from a carbonatom, a hydrogen atom, an oxygen atom and a nitrogen atom; furtherpreferably a group of nonmetallic atoms necessary for forming a 5- to7-membered ring selected from a carbon atom, a hydrogen atom and anitrogen atom; and most preferably a group of nonmetallic atomsnecessary for a piperidine ring.

Hereinafter, specific examples of the compound C represented by formula(3-a) or (3-b) will be shown, but the present invention should not beconsidered to be limited thereto.

In the present invention, among these, the exemplified compounds (C-48)and (C-52) are preferable; the exemplified compound (C-48) is mostpreferable.

The compounds represented by formula (3-a) or (3-b) can be synthesizedby methods described in U.K. Patent No. 1,326,889, U.K. Patent No.1,354,313, U.K. Patent No. 1,410,846, U.S. Pat. No. 3,336,135, U.S. Pat.No. 4,268,593, U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,131, U.S. Pat. No. 4,584,265,JP-B-51-1420, JP-B-52-6523, JP-A-58-114036, JP-A-59-5246, JP-A-61-73152,JP-A-61-86750, JP-A-61-90155, JP-A-61-90156, and JP-A-61-172246 or bymodifications thereto.

The ultraviolet absorbent A and B, and the compound C used in thepresent invention may be individually present, or may be connected toeach other previously or by binding together with each other in acomposition. Further, a polymerizable group may be bound with each ofthe ultraviolet absorbent A and B, and the compound C to form apolymerizable monomer respectively, followed by polymerization of thesemonomers to form a copolymer including these monomers as a unitstructure. Alternatively, these compounds may be used together withother monomers free of the ultraviolet absorbent A and B, and thecompound C to form a copolymer. A preferable embodiment is that acomposition is constructed by monomers, and a copolymer is formed bypolymerization of the monomers at a desired time.

The ultraviolet absorbent composition according to the present inventionmay be in any form, for example, liquid dispersion, solution, polymermaterial, or the like. The ultraviolet absorbent composition accordingto the present invention may contain any other desirable componentsaccording to application, in addition to the ultraviolet absorbent A andB, and the compound C.

The ultraviolet absorbent composition according to the present inventionis preferably in the dispersed state as dispersed in a dispersingmedium. Hereinafter, the ultraviolet absorbent dispersion according tothe present invention will be described.

The medium for dispersing the ultraviolet absorbent according to thepresent invention is arbitrary. Examples thereof include water, organicsolvents, resins, resin solutions, and the like. These media may be usedalone or in combination of two or more.

Examples of the organic solvents as the dispersing medium that can beused in the present invention include hydrocarbon-based solvents such aspentane, hexane and octane; aromatic solvents such as benzene, tolueneand xylene; ether-based solvents such as diethylether andmethyl-t-butylether; alcoholic solvents such as methanol, ethanol andisopropanol; ester-based solvents such as acetone, ethyl acetate andbutyl acetate; ketone-based solvents such as methyl ethyl ketone;nitrile-based solvents such as acetonitrile and propionitrile;amide-based solvents such as N,N-dimethylformamide,N,N-dimethylacetamide and N-methylpyrrolidone; sulfoxide-based solventssuch as dimethylsulfoxide; amine-based solvents such as triethylamineand tributylamine; carboxylic acid-based solvents such as acetic acidand propionic acid; halogen-based solvents such as methylene chlorideand chloroform; and heterocycle-based solvents such as tetrahydrofuranand pyridine. These solvents may be used as a mixture at any rate.

Examples of the resins as the dispersing medium that can be used in thepresent invention include various known thermoplastic and thermosettingresins conventionally used for production of molded article, sheet, filmand others. Examples of the thermoplastic resins include polyethyleneseries resins, polypropylene series resins, poly(meth)acrylic esterseries resins, polystyrene series resins, styrene-acrylonitrile seriesresins, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene series resins, polyvinylchloride series resins, polyvinylidene chloride series resins, polyvinylacetate series resins, polyvinylbutyral series resins, ethylene-vinylacetate series copolymers, ethylene-vinylalcohol series resins,polyethylene terephthalate resins (PET), polybutylene terephthalateresins (PBT), liquid crystal polyester resins (LCP), polyacetal resins(POM), polyamide resins (PA), polycarbonate resins, polyurethane resins,and polyphenylene sulfide resins (PPS), and these resins may be usedalone or as polymer blend or alloy of two or more. The resin may be usedas a thermoplastic molding material containing a natural resin andadditionally a filler such as glass fiber, carbon fiber, semi-carbonizedfiber, cellulosic fiber or glass bead, a flame retardant, and the like.As needed, resin additives conventionally used, such as polyolefinseries resin fine powder, polyolefin series wax, ethylene bisamide wax,and metal soap, may be used alone or in combination.

Examples of the thermosetting resins include epoxy resins, melamineresins, and unsaturated polyester resins, and the resin may be used as athermosetting molding material containing a natural resin andadditionally a filler, such as glass fiber, carbon fiber,semi-carbonized fiber, cellulosic fiber or glass bead, and a flameretardant.

The ultraviolet absorbent dispersion according to the present inventionmay contain other additives such as dispersant, antifoam, preservative,antifreezing agent, surfactant and others. The dispersion may containany other compounds additionally. Examples of the other additivesinclude dye, pigment, infrared absorbent, flavoring agent, polymerizablecompound, polymer, inorganic material and metal.

For example, a high-shearing force high-speed-agitation dispersingmachine or a high-strength ultrasonic dispersing machine may be used asthe apparatus for preparation of the ultraviolet absorbent dispersionaccording to the present invention. Specific examples thereof includecolloid mill, homogenizer, capillary emulsifier, liquid siren,electromagnetic-distortion ultrasonic wave generator, emulsifier havinga Pallmann whistle, and the like. The high-speed-agitation dispersingmachine favorably used in the present invention is a dispersing machinein which a dispersing part is revolving in liquid at high speed (500 to15,000 rpm, preferably 2,000 to 4,000 rpm) such as dissolver, polytron,homomixer, homoblender, keddy mill, or jet agitator. Thehigh-speed-agitation dispersing machine that can be used in the presentinvention is also called a dissolver or a high-speed impeller dispersingmachine, and, as described in JP-A-55-129136, a dispersing machinehaving impellers of saw-teeth shaped plate alternately bent in thevertical direction that are connected to the shaft revolving at highspeed is also a favorable example.

Various methods may be used in preparation of an emulsified dispersioncontaining a hydrophobic compound. For example, in dissolving ahydrophobic compound in an organic solvent, the hydrophobic compound isdissolved in a solvent or a mixture of two or more arbitrarily selectedfrom high-boiling point organic materials, water-immiscible low boilingpoint organic solvents and water-miscible organic solvents, and thesolution is then dispersed in water or an aqueous hydrophilic colloidsolution in the presence of a surfactant compound. The water-insolublephase containing the hydrophobic compound and the aqueous phase may bemixed by the so-called normal mixing method of adding thewater-insoluble phase into the agitated aqueous phase or by the reversemixing method of adding the phases reversely.

The content of the ultraviolet absorbent composition in the ultravioletabsorbent dispersion according to the present invention may not bedetermined specifically, because it varies according to application andtype of usage, and is the concentration is arbitrary according toapplication. The content is preferably 0.001 to 50 mass %, morepreferably 0.01 to 20 mass %, with respect to the total amount of theultraviolet absorbent dispersion.

The ultraviolet absorbent composition according to the present inventionis favorably used in the state of a solution dissolved in a liquidmedium. Hereinafter, the ultraviolet absorbent solution according to thepresent invention will be described.

The liquid dissolving the ultraviolet absorbent composition according tothe present invention is arbitrary. It is, for example, water, anorganic solvent, a resin, a resin solution, or the like. Examples of theorganic solvent, the resin, and the resin solution include thosedescribed above as the dispersing medium. These may be used alone or incombination.

The solution of the ultraviolet absorbent composition according to thepresent invention may contain any other compounds additionally. Examplesof the other additives include dye, pigment, infrared absorbent,flavoring agent, polymerizable compound, polymer, inorganic material,metal and the like. Components other than the ultraviolet absorbentcomposition according to the present invention may not necessarily bedissolved.

The content of the ultraviolet absorbent composition in the ultravioletabsorbent solution according to the present invention may not bedetermined specifically, because it varies according to application andtype of usage, and thus the concentration is arbitrary according toapplication. The concentration in the entire solution is preferably0.001 to 50 mass %. Both the ultraviolet absorbent A and the ultravioletabsorbent B used in the present invention are compounds that exhibithigh solubility. Accordingly, they can be used even in a concentrationas high as, for example, the range of from 10% by mass to 50% by mass.

A solution at higher concentration may be prepared in advance anddiluted at a desired time before use. The dilution solvent is selectedarbitrarily from the solvents described above.

The polymer composition is used in preparation of the polymer materialaccording to the present invention. The polymer composition for use inthe present invention contains a polymer substance described below andthe ultraviolet absorbent composition according to the presentinvention.

The ultraviolet absorbent composition according to the present inventionmay be contained in the polymer substance in various methods. When theultraviolet absorbent composition according to the present invention iscompatible with the polymer substance, the ultraviolet absorbentcomposition according to the present invention may be added to thepolymer substance directly. The ultraviolet absorbent compositionaccording to the present invention may be dissolved in a cosolventcompatible with the polymer substance, and then the obtained solution beadded to the polymer substance. The ultraviolet absorbent compositionaccording to the present invention may be dispersed in a high-boilingpoint organic solvent or a polymer, and the obtained dispersion be addedto the polymer substance.

The boiling point of the high-boiling point organic solvent ispreferably 180° C. or higher, more preferably 200° C. or higher. Themelting point of the high-boiling point organic solvent is preferably150° C. or lower, more preferably 100° C. or lower. Examples of thehigh-boiling point organic solvents include phosphoric esters,phosphonic esters, benzoic esters, phthalic esters, fatty acid esters,carbonate esters, amides, ethers, halogenated hydrocarbons, alcohols andparaffins. Phosphoric esters, phosphonic esters, phthalic ester, benzoicesters and fatty acid esters are preferable.

The method of adding the ultraviolet absorbent composition according tothe present invention is determined, by reference to the description inJP-A-58-209735, JP-A-63-264748, JP-A-4-191851, JP-A-8-272058, andBritish Patent No. 2016017A.

The content of the ultraviolet absorbent composition in the ultravioletabsorbent solution according to the present invention is not determinedspecifically, because it varies according to application and type ofusage, and the concentration is arbitrary according to application. Itis preferably 0.001 to 10 mass %, more preferably 0.01 to 5 mass %, inthe polymer material.

The ultraviolet absorbent composition according to the present inventionis preferably used for a polymer material. Hereinafter, the polymermaterial according to the present invention will be described.

Although practically sufficient ultraviolet-shielding effect is obtainedonly with the ultraviolet absorbent composition according to the presentinvention in the present invention, a white pigment which has higherhiding power such as titanium oxide may be used for assurance. Inaddition, a trace (0.05 mass % or less) amount of colorant may be usedadditionally, if the appearance or the color tone is of a problem or asneeded. Alternatively, a fluorescent brightener may be used additionallyfor applications demanding transparency or whiteness. Examples of thefluorescent brighteners include commercialized products, the compoundsrepresented by Formula [1] and typical exemplary compounds 1 to 35described in JP-A-2002-53824, and the like.

Hereinafter, the polymer substance that can be used in the polymercomposition will be described. The polymer substance is a natural orsynthetic polymer or copolymer. Examples thereof include the followings:

<1> Monoolefinic and diolefinic polymers such as polypropylene,polyisobutylene, polybut-1-ene, poly-4-methyl pent-1-ene,polyvinylcyclohexane, polyisoprene and polybutadiene; cycloolefinpolymers such as of cyclopentene or norbornene; polyethylenes(crosslinkable as needed) such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE),high-density and high-molecular weight polyethylene (HDPE-HMW),high-density and ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (HDPE-UHMW),medium-density polyethylene (MDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), andlinear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), (VLDPE) and (ULDPE).

Polyolefins (that is, polymers of the monoolefins exemplified in theparagraph above), preferably polyethylene and polypropylene, may beprepared by various methods, particularly by the following methods:

a) Radical polymerization (normally under high pressure and elevatedtemperature), andb) Catalytic polymerization normally by using one or more metals in thegroups IVb, Vb, VIb and VIII of the Periodic Table.

The metal is normally bound to one or more ligands, typically π- orσ-coordinating groups such as oxide, halide, alcoholate, ester, ether,amine, alkyl, alkenyl and/or aryl. The metal complex is in the freestate or immobilized on a base material such as activated magnesiumchloride, titanium (III) chloride, alumina or silicon oxide. Thecatalyst may be soluble or insoluble in the polymerization medium. Thecatalyst may be used as it is in polymerization or in combination withanother activating agent, such as metal alkyl, metal hydride, metalalkyl halide, metal alkyl oxide or metal alkyloxane, the metal being anelement in the groups Ia, IIa and/or IIIa of the Periodic Table. Theactivating agent may be modified properly with an other ester, ether,amine or silylether group. Such a catalyst system is normally calledPhilips, Standard Oil-Indiana, Ziegler (Natta), TNZ (Du Pont),metallocene or single site catalyst (SSC).

<2> Mixture of the polymers described in <1> above such aspolypropylene/polyisobutylene, polypropylene/polyethylene mixture (suchas PP/HDPE and PP/LDPE), and mixture of different type of polyethylenes(such as LDPE/HDPE).<3> Copolymers of a monoolefin and a diolefin or a monoolefin ordiolefin with another vinyl monomer such as ethylene/propylenecopolymer, mixture of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) and itslow-density polyethylene (LDPE), propylene/but-1-ene copolymer,propylene/isobutylene copolymer, ethylene/but-1-ene copolymer,ethylene/hexene copolymer, ethylene/methylpentene copolymer,ethylene/heptene copolymer, ethylene/octene copolymer,ethylene/vinylcyclohexane copolymer, ethylene/cycloolefin copolymer(such as COC (Cyclo-Olefin Copolymer) of ethylene/norbornene),ethylene/1-olefin copolymer producing 1-olefin in situ,propylene/butadiene copolymer, isobutylene/isoprene copolymer,ethylene/vinylcyclohexene copolymer, ethylene/alkyl acrylate copolymer,ethylene/alkyl methacrylate copolymer, ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymeror ethylene/acrylic acid copolymer and the salts thereof (ionomers); andterpolymers of ethylene and propyrene with diene such as hexadiene,dicyclopentadiene or ethylidene-norbornene; and mixtures of suchcopolymers and the polymer described in the above 1) such aspolypropylene/ethylene-propylene copolymer, LDPE/ethylene-vinyl acetatecopolymer (EVA), LDPE/ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer (EAA), LLDPE/EVA,LLDPE/EAA and alternating or random polyalkylene/carbon monooxidecopolymer and the mixture thereof with other polymer such as polyamide.<4> Mixtures of hydrocarbon resins (for example, having 5 to 9 carbonatoms) containing hydrogenated derivatives (such as tackifier) andpolyalkylene and starch.

The homopolymers and copolymers described in <1> to <4> above may haveany steric structure, syndiotactic, isotactic, hemiisotactic or atactic;and atactic polymers are preferable. Stereoblock polymers are alsoincluded.

<5> Polystyrene, poly(p-methylstyrene), and poly(α-methylstyrene).<6> Aromatic homopolymer and copolymers prepared from aromatic vinylmonomers including all isomers of styrene, α-methylstyrene, andvinyltoluene, in particular all isomers of p-vinyltoluene, ethylstyrene,propylstyrene, vinyl biphenyl, vinylnaphthalene, and vinylanthracene,and the mixture thereof. The homopolymers and copolymers may have anysteric structure, syndiotactic, isotactic, hemiisotactic or atactic; andatactic polymers are preferable. Stereoblock polymers are also included.<6a> Copolymers of the aromatic vinyl monomers or comonomers selectedfrom ethylene, propylene, dienes, nitriles, acids, maleic anhydride,maleimide, vinyl acetate and vinyl chloride or its acryl derivative andthe mixture thereof, such as styrene/butadiene, styrene/acrylonitrile,styrene/ethylene (copolymer), styrene/alkyl methacrylate,styrene/butadiene/alkyl acrylate, styrene/butadiene/alkyl methacrylate,styrene/maleic anhydride, and styrene/acrylonitrile/methyl acrylate;styrene copolymers and other polymers including high shock-resistantmixtures such as polyacrylate, diene polymer, andethylene/propylene/diene terpolymer; and styrene block copolymers suchas styrene/butadiene/styrene, styrene/isoprene/styrene,styrene/ethylene/butylene/styrene andstyrene/ethylene/propylene/styrene.<6b> Hydrogenated aromatic polymers prepared from the hydrogenatedpolymers described in <6>, in particular polycyclohexylethylene (PCHE),often called polyvinylcyclohexane (PVCH), prepared by hydrogenation ofatactic polystyrene.<6c> Hydrogenated aromatic polymers prepared by hydrogenation of thepolymers described in <6a> above.

The homopolymers and copolymers may have any steric structure,syndiotactic, isotactic, hemiisotactic or atactic, and atactic polymersare preferable. Stereoblock polymers are also included.

<7> Graft copolymers of an aromatic vinyl monomer such as styrene ora-methylstyrene, including graft copolymers of polybutadiene/styrene;polybutadiene-styrene or polybutadiene-acrylonitrile copolymer/styrene;polybutadiene/styrene and acrylonitrile (or methacrylonitrile);polybutadiene/styrene, acrylonitrile and methyl methacrylate;polybutadiene/styrene and maleic anhydride; polybutadiene/styrene,acrylonitrile and maleic anhydride or maleimide; polybutadiene/styreneand maleimide; polybutadiene/styrene and alkyl acrylate or methacrylate;ethylene/propylene/diene terpolymer/styrene and acrylonitrile; polyalkylacrylate or polyalkyl methacrylate/styrene and acrylonitrile;acrylate/butadiene copolymer/styrene and acrylonitrile; and mixturesthereof with the copolymers described in <6> above such as knowncopolymer mixtures of ABS, SAN, MBS, ASA and AES polymer.<8> Halogen-containing polymers such as polychloroprene, chlorinatedrubber, chlorinated or brominated copolymers of isobutylene-isoprene(halobutyl rubbers), chlorinated or sulfochlorinated polyethylene,ethylene-chlorinated ethylene copolymer, and epichlorohydrin homopolymerand copolymers; in particular, polymers of a halogen-containing vinylcompound such as polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinylfluoride, polyvinylidene fluoride, and copolymers thereof such aspolyvinyl chloride/vinylidene chloride, polyvinyl chloride/vinyl acetateor vinylidene chloride/vinyl acetate copolymer.<9> Polymers derived from α,β-unsaturated acid and the derivativesthereof such as polyacrylates and polymethacrylates; and high-impactpolymethyl methacrylate, polyacrylamide and polyacrylonitrile modifiedwith butyl acrylate.<10> Copolymers of the monomers described in <9> above or with anotherunsaturated monomer such as acrylonitrile/butadiene copolymer,acrylonitrile/alkyl acrylate copolymer, acrylonitrile/alkoxyalkylacrylate or acrylonitrile/vinyl halide copolymer and acrylonitrile/alkylmethacrylate/butadiene terpolymer.<11> Polymers derived from an unsaturated alcohol and an amine, and acylderivatives or acetals thereof such as polyvinylalcohol, polyvinylacetate, polyvinyl stearate, polyvinyl benzoate, polyvinyl maleate,polyvinylbutyral, polyallyl phthalate and polyallylmelamine; andcopolymers thereof with the olefin described in <1> above.<12> Homopolymers and copolymers of cyclic ether such as polyalkyleneglycols, polyethyleneoxide, polypropyleneoxide or bisglycidylether, andthe copolymers thereof.<13> Polyacetals such as polyoxymethylene and polyoxymethylenecontaining ethyleneoxide as the comonomer; acrylate or MBS.<14> Mixtures of polyphenyleneoxide and sulfide, and those ofpolyphenyleneoxide and styrene polymer or polyamide.<15> Polyamides and copolyamides derived from a diamine and adicarboxylic acid and/or aminocarboxylic acid or the correspondinglactam, such as polyamide 4, polyamide 6, polyamides 6/6, 6/10, 6/9,6/12, 4/6 and 12/12, polyamide 11, polyamide 12, and an aromaticpolyamide from m-xylenediamine and adipic acid; polyamides prepared fromhexamethylenediamine and isophthalic and/or terephthalic acid, in thepresence or absence of a modifying agent elastomer such aspoly-2,4,4-trimethylhexamethylene terephthalamide and poly-m-phenyleneisophthalamide; block copolymers of the polyamides above withpolyolefin, olefin copolymer, ionomer or chemically bonded or graftedelastomer; block copolymers of the polyamides above with polyether suchas polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol or polytetramethyleneglycol; polyamides or copolyamides modified with EPDM or ABS; andpolyamides condensed during processing (RIM polyamides).<16> Polyurea, polyimide, polyamide-imide, polyether imide,polyester-imide, polyhydantoin and polybenzimidazole.<17> Polyesters derived from a dicarboxylic acid and a diol and/or ahydroxycarboxylic acid or the corresponding lactone such as polyethyleneterephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate,poly-1,4-dimethylolcyclohexane terephthalate, polyalkylene naphthalate(PAN) and polyhydroxybenzoate; block copolyether esters derived fromhydroxyl terminal polyethers; and polyesters modified with polycarbonateor MBS; the polyesters and polyester copolymers specified in U.S. Pat.No. 5,807,932 (2nd column, line 53) are also incorporated herein byreference.<18> Polycarbonates and polyester carbonates.

<19> Polyketones.

<20> Polysulfones, polyether sulfones and polyether ketones.<21> Crosslinked polymers derived from an aldehyde component and anotherphenol component and also from urea and melamine such asphenol/formaldehyde resin, urea/formaldehyde resin andmelamine/formaldehyde resin.<22> Dry and non-dry alkyd resins.<23> Unsaturated polyester resins derived from saturated and unsaturateddicarboxylic acids, a polyvalent alcohol, and a crosslinking agent vinylcompound, and less flammable halogen-containing derivatives thereof.<24> Substituted acrylates, for example, crosslinkable acrylic resinsderived from epoxy acrylate, urethane acrylate or polyester acrylate.<25> Crosslinked alkyd, polyester and acrylate resins crosslinked with amelamine resin, urea resin, isocyanate, isocyanurate, polyisocyanate orepoxy resin.<26> Crosslinked epoxy resins derived from an aliphatic, alicyclic,heterocyclic or aromatic glycidyl compound, for example, glycidyl etherproducts of bisphenol A or bisphenol F crosslinked with a common curingagent such as anhydride or amine in the presence or absence of anaccelerator.<27> Natural polymers such as cellulose, rubber, gelatin and chemicallymodified derivatives of their homologous series such as celluloseacetate, cellulose propionate and cellulose butyrate, and celluloseethers such as methylcellulose; and rosins and the derivatives thereof<28> Polymer blends (polyblends) of the polymers described above such asPP/EPDM, polyamide/EPDM or ABS, PVC/EVA, PVC/ABS, PVC/MBS, PC/ABS,PBTP/ABS, PC/ASA, PC/PBT, PVC/CPE, PVC/acrylate, POM/acrylate, POM/MBS,PPO/HIPS, PPO/PA6.6 and copolymer, PA/HDPE, PA/PP, PA/PPO, PBT/PC/ABSand PBT/PET/PC.<29> Natural and synthetic organic materials of a pure monomericcompound or a mixture of the compounds such as mineral oils, animal andvegetable fats, oils and waxes, or synthetic ester (such as phthalate,adipate, phosphate or trimellitate)-based oils, fats and waxes, andmixtures thereof with a synthetic ester and mineral oil at any rate,mixtures typically used as a fiber-spinning composition, and the aqueousemulsions thereof.<30> Aqueous emulsions of natural or synthetic rubber, for example, anatural latex or latexes of a carboxylated styrene/butadiene copolymer.<31> Polysiloxanes, for example, the soft hydrophilic polysiloxanedescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,259,467 and the hard polyorganosiloxanedescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,355,147.<32> Polyketimines in combination with an unsaturatedacrylpolyacetoacetate resin or an unsaturated acrylic resin includingurethane acrylate, polyester acrylate, vinyl or acrylic copolymershaving a pendant unsaturated group, and acrylated melamines. Thepolyketimine is prepared from a polyamine and a ketone in the presenceof an acid catalyst.<33> Radiant ray-hardening compositions containing an ethylenicallyunsaturated monomer or oligomer and a polyunsaturated aliphaticoligomer.<34> Epoxy melamine resins such as photostabilized epoxy resinscrosslinked with a coetherified high-solid content melamine resinsensitive to epoxy groups, such as LSE-4103 (trade name, manufactured byMonsanto).

The polymer substance for use in the present invention is preferably asynthetic polymer, more preferably a polyolefin, an acrylic polymer,polyester, polycarbonate, or a cellulose ester. Among them,polyethylene, polypropylene, poly(4-methylpentene), polymethylmethacrylate, polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylenenaphthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, and triacetylcellulose areparticularly preferable.

The polymer substance for use in the present invention is preferably athermoplastic resin.

The polymer material according to the present invention may contain, inaddition to the ultraviolet absorbent of the present invention, anyadditives such as processing stabilizer, antidegradant, andcompatibilizer, as needed.

The polymer material according to the present invention contains thepolymer substance above. The polymer material according to the presentinvention may be made only of the above polymer substance, or may beformed by using the polymer substance dissolved in an arbitrary solvent.

The polymer material according to the present invention is applicable toany application where synthetic resin is used, and particularlyfavorably to applications where there is possibility of exposure tolight such as sunlight or ultraviolet light. Specific examples thereofinclude glass alternatives and their surface-coating agent; coatingagents for the window glass, lighting glass and light source-protectingglass such as of house, facility, and vehicle; interior and exteriormaterials such as of house, facility and vehicle, paints for theinterior and exterior materials; materials for ultraviolet-emissionsources such as fluorescent lamp and mercury lamp; materials forprecision machines and electric and electronic devices; materials forshielding electromagnetic and other waves emitted from various displays;containers or packaging material for food, chemicals, medicine andothers; discoloration inhibitors for agricultural and industrial sheetor film, print, colored products, dyes and pigments; cosmetics such asanti-sunburn cream, shampoo, rinse, and hair dressing; apparel fiberproducts such as sport wear, stockings and cap and the fibers; homeinterior products such as curtain, carpet and wall paper; medicaldevices such as plastic lens, contact lens and artificial eye; opticalmaterials such as optical filter, prism, mirror, and photographicmaterial; stationery products such as tape and ink; display plates anddevices and the surface-coating agents thereof, and the like.

The shape of the polymer material according to the present invention maybe flat film, powder, spherical particle, crushed particle, bulkycontinuous particle, fiber, solenoid, hollow fiber, granule, plate,porous particle, or the other.

The polymer material according to the present invention, which containsthe ultraviolet absorbent composition according to the presentinvention, is superior in light resistance (ultraviolet fastness),causing no precipitation or bleed out of the ultraviolet absorbentduring long-term use. In addition, the polymer material according to thepresent invention, which has superior long-wavelength ultravioletabsorption capability, can be used as an ultraviolet-absorbing filter orcontainer, for protection, for example, of an ultraviolet-sensitivecompound therein. It is possible to obtain a molded article (such ascontainer) of the polymer material according to the present invention,for example, by molding the polymer substance by any molding method suchas extrusion molding or injection molding. It is also possible toprepare a molded article coated with an ultraviolet-absorbing film madeof the polymer material according to the present invention, by coatingand drying a solution of the polymer substance on a separately preparedmolded article.

When the polymer material according to the present invention is used asan ultraviolet-absorbing filter or film, the polymer substance ispreferably transparent. Examples of the transparent polymer materialsinclude cellulose esters (such as diacetylcellulose, triacetylcellulose(TAC), propionylcellulose, butyrylcellulose, acetyl propionyl cellulose,and nitrocellulose), polyamides, polycarbonates, polyesters (such aspolyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polybutyleneterephthalate, poly-1,4-cyclohexane dimethylene terephthalate,polyethylene-1,2-diphenoxyethane-4,4′-dicarboxylate, and polybutyleneterephthalate), polystyrenes (such as syndiotactic polystyrene),polyolefins (such as polyethylene, polypropylene, andpolymethylpentene), polymethyl methacrylate, syndiotactic polystyrene,polysulfones, polyether sulfones, polyether ketones, polyether imides,polyoxyethylene, and the like. Preferable are cellulose esters,polycarbonates, polyesters, polyolefins, and acrylic resins. The polymermaterial according to the present invention may be used as a transparentsupport, and the transmittance of the transparent support in such a caseis preferably 80% or more, more preferably 86% or more.

Hereinafter, the packaging material containing the ultraviolet absorbentcomposition according to the present invention will be described. Thepackaging material containing the ultraviolet absorbent compositionaccording to the present invention may be a packaging material of anykind of polymer, as long as it contains the ultraviolet absorbent A andB, and the compound C above-described. Examples thereof include thethermoplastic resins described in JP-A-8-208765; the polyvinylalcoholsdescribed in JP-A-8-151455; the polyvinyl chlorides described inJP-A-8-245849; the polyesters described in JP-A-10-168292 andJP-A-2004-285189; the heat-shrinkable polyesters described inJP-A-2001-323082; the styrene-based resins described in JP-A-10-298397;the polyolefins described in JP-A-11-315175, JP-A-2001-26081, andJP-A-2005-305745; the ROMP's described in JP-T-2003-524019; and thelike. It may be, for example, the resin having a vapor-deposition thinfilm layer of an inorganic compound described in JP-A-2004-50460 orJP-A-2004-243674. It may be, for example, the paper coated with a resincontaining the ultraviolet absorbent described in JP-A-2006-240734.

The packaging material containing the ultraviolet absorbent compositionaccording to the present invention may be that for packaging anythingsuch as food, beverage, cosmetics, or individual health care product.Examples thereof include the food packaging materials described inJP-A-11-34261 and JP-A-2003-237825; the photographic photosensitivematerial packaging materials described in JP-A-7-287353; the photographfilm packaging materials described in JP-A-2000-56433; the UV-hardeningink packaging materials described in JP-A-2005-178832; the shrink labelsdescribed in JP-A-2003-200966 and JP-A-2006-323339; and the like.

The packaging material containing the ultraviolet absorbent compositionaccording to the present invention may be the transparent packagingmaterial described, for example, in JP-A-2004-51174 or thelight-shielding packaging material described, for example, inJP-A-2006-224317.

The packaging material containing the ultraviolet absorbent compositionaccording to the present invention may have ultraviolet light-shieldingproperty as well as other properties, as described, for example, inJP-A-2001-26081 and JP-A-2005-305745. Examples thereof include thepackaging materials having gas-barrier property described, for example,in JP-A-2002-160321; those containing an oxygen indicator as described,for example, in JP-A-2005-156220; those containing both an ultravioletabsorbent and a fluorescent brightener described, for example, inJP-A-2005-146278; and the like.

The packaging material containing the ultraviolet absorbent compositionaccording to the present invention may be prepared by any method.Examples of the method include the method of melt-extruding andlaminating a resin containing an ultraviolet absorbent described, forexample, in JP-A-2001-323082 and JP-A-2005-305745; the method ofdispersing an ultraviolet absorbent in an adhesive described, forexample, in JP-A-9-157626; and the like.

Hereinafter, the container containing the ultraviolet absorbentcomposition according to the present invention will be described. Thecontainer containing the ultraviolet absorbent composition according tothe present invention may be a container of any kind of polymer, as longas it contains the ultraviolet absorbent A and B, and the compound C.Examples thereof include the thermoplastic resin containers described inJP-A-8-324572; the polyester containers described in JP-A-2001-48153,JP-A-2005-105004, and JP-A-2006-1568; the polyethylene naphthalatecontainers described in JP-A-2000-238857; the polyethylene containersdescribed in JP-A-2001-88815; the cyclic olefin-based resin compositioncontainers described in JP-A-7-216152; the plastic containers describedin JP-A-2001-270531; the transparent polyamide containers described inJP-A-2004-83858; and the like. It may be the paper container containinga resin described, for example, in JP-A-2001-114262 or JP-A-2001-213427.It may be, alternatively, the glass container having anultraviolet-absorbing layer described, for example, in JP-A-7-242444,JP-A-8-133787, or JP-A-2005-320408.

The container containing the ultraviolet absorbent composition accordingto the present invention is used as containers in various applicationsincluding food, beverage, cosmetics, individual health care product,shampoo and the like. Examples thereof include the liquid fuel-storingcontainers described in JP-A-5-139434; the golf ball containersdescribed in JP-A-7-289665; the food containers described inJP-A-9-295664 and JP-A-2003-237825; the liquor containers described inJP-A-9-58687; the beverage containers described in JP-A-8-324572 andJP-A-2006-298456; the oily food containers described in JP-A-9-86570;the analytical reagent solution containers described in JP-A-9-113494;the instant noodle containers described in JP-A-9-239910; thelight-resistant cosmetic preparation containers described inJP-A-11-180474, JP-A-2002-68322, and JP-A-2005-278678; the high-puritychemical solution containers described in JP-A-11-290420; the liquidagent containers described in JP-A-2001-106218; the UV-hardening inkcontainers described in JP-A-2005-178832; the plastic ampoules describedin WO 04/93775 pamphlet; and the like.

The container containing the ultraviolet absorbent composition accordingto the present invention may have ultraviolet-shielding property as wellas other properties, as described, for example, in JP-A-5-305975 andJP-A-7-40954. Examples of such containers include the antimicrobialcontainers described in JP-A-10-237312; the flexible containersdescribed in JP-A-2000-152974; the dispenser containers described inJP-A-2002-264979; the biodegradable containers described in, forexample, JP-A-2005-255736; and the like.

The container containing the ultraviolet absorbent composition accordingto the present invention may be prepared by any method. Examples of themethod include the two-layer stretching blow-molding method described inJP-A-2002-370723; the multilayer coextrusion blow-molding methoddescribed in JP-A-2001-88815; the method of forming anultraviolet-absorbing layer on the external surface of an containerdescribed in JP-A-9-241407; the methods of using a shrinkable filmdescribed in JP-A-8-91385, JP-A-9-48935, JP-T-11-514387,JP-A-2000-66603, JP-A-2001-323082, JP-A-2005-105032, and WO 99/29490pamphlet; the method of using a supercritical fluid described inJP-A-11-255925; and the like.

Hereinafter, the paint and the coated film containing the ultravioletabsorbent composition according to the present invention will bedescribed. The paint containing the ultraviolet absorbent compositionaccording to the present invention may be a paint of any composition, aslong as it contains the ultraviolet absorbent A and B, the compound C.Examples thereof include those of acrylic resin-base, aminoalkydresin-base, epoxy resin-base, silicone resin-base, and fluororesin-base.To these resins, a base compound, curing agent, diluent, leveling agent,cissing inhibitor or the like may be arbitrarily added.

For example, when a silicon acrylic resin is selected as the transparentresin component, the curing agent is preferably a polyisocyanate; andthe diluent is preferably a hydrocarbon-based solvent such as tolueneand xylene, an ester-based solvent such as isobutyl acetate, butylacetate and amyl acetate, or an alcohol-based solvent such as isopropylalcohol and butyl alcohol. In such a case, the polyisocyanate is, forexample, tolylene diisocyanate, diphenylmethane diisocyanate,polymethylene polyphenylene polyisocyanate, tolidine diisocyanate,naphthalene diisocyanate, hexamethylene diisocyanate, isophoronediisocyanate, xylylene diisocyanate, dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanate,hexamethylene diisocyanate or the like. Examples of other transparentresin components include polymethyl methacrylate, polymethylmethacrylate/styrene copolymer, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate,and the like. In addition to these components, a leveling agent such asan acrylic or silicone resin, a silicone-based or acrylic cissinginhibitor, and others may be arbitrarily added as needed.

The paint containing the ultraviolet absorbent composition according tothe present invention may be used in any application. Examples thereofinclude the ultraviolet-shielding paints described in JP-A-7-26177,JP-A-9-169950, JP-A-9-221631, and JP-A-2002-80788; the ultraviolet- andnear-infrared-shielding paints described in JP-A-10-88039; theelectromagnetic wave-shielding paints described in JP-A-2001-55541; theclear paints described in JP-A-8-81643; the metallic paint compositionsdescribed in JP-A-2000-186234; the cationic electrodeposition paintsdescribed in JP-A-7-166112; the antimicrobial and lead-free cationicelectrodeposition paints described in JP-A-2002-294165; the powderpaints described in JP-A-2000-273362, JP-A-2001-279189, andJP-A-2002-271227; the aqueous intermediate-layer paints, aqueousmetallic paints, and aqueous clear paints described in JP-A-2001-9357;the topcoat paints for automobile, construction, and civil workdescribed in JP-A-2001-316630; the hardening paints described inJP-A-2002-356655; the coat-film forming compositions for use on plasticmaterials such as automobile bumper described in JP-A-2004-937; thepaints for a metal plate described in JP-A-2004-2700; the hardeninggradient coat films described in JP-A-2004-169182; the coating materialsfor an electric wire described in JP-A-2004-107700; the paints forautomobile repair described in JP-A-6-49368; the anionicelectrodeposition paints described in JP-A-2002-38084 andJP-A-2005-307161; the paints for an automobile described inJP-A-5-78606, JP-A-5-185031, JP-A-10-140089, JP-T-2000-509082,JP-T-2004-520284, and WO 2006/097201 pamphlet; the paints for a coatedsteel plate described in JP-A-6-1945; the paints for a stainless steeldescribed in JP-A-6-313148; the lamp moth-repellent paints described inJP-A-7-3189; the UV-hardening paints described in JP-A-7-82454; theantimicrobial paints described in JP-A-7-118576; the eyestrainprotection paints described in JP-A-2004-217727; the anti-fog paintsdescribed in JP-A-2005-314495; the ultra-weather-resistance paintsdescribed in JP-A-10-298493; the gradient paints described inJP-A-9-241534; the photocatalyst paints described in JP-A-2002-235028;the strippable paints described in JP-A-2000-345109; the concreteseparation paints described in JP-A-6-346022; the anti-corrosion paintsdescribed in JP-A-2002-167545; the protective paints described inJP-A-8-324576; the water-repellent protective paints described inJP-A-9-12924; the anti-plate glass scattering paints described inJP-A-9-157581; the alkali-soluble protective paints described inJP-A-9-59539; the aqueous temporary protective paint compositionsdescribed in JP-A-2001-181558; the flooring paints described inJP-A-10-183057; the emulsion paints described in JP-A-2001-115080; thetwo-pack type aqueous paints described in JP-A-2001-262056; the one-packtype paints described in JP-A-9-263729; the UV-hardening paintsdescribed in JP-A-2001-288410; the electron beam-hardening paintcompositions described in JP-A-2002-69331; the thermosetting paintcompositions described in JP-A-2002-80781; the aqueous paints for bakinglacquer described in JP-T-2003-525325; the powder paints and the slurrypaints described in JP-A-2004-162021; the repair paints described inJP-A-2006-233010; the powder-paint aqueous dispersions described inJP-T-11-514689; the paints for a plastic article described inJP-A-2001-59068 and JP-A-2006-160847; the electron beam-hardening paintsdescribed in JP-A-2002-69331; and the like.

The paint containing the ultraviolet absorbent composition according tothe present invention generally contains a paint (containing atransparent resin component as the principal component) and anultraviolet absorbent. The paint contains the ultraviolet absorbentpreferably in an amount of 0 to 20 mass % with respect to the resin. Thethickness of the film coated is preferably 2 to 1,000 μm, morepreferably 5 to 200 μm. The method of coating the paint is arbitrary,and examples of the method include a spray method, a dipping method, aroller coating method, a flow coater method, a curtain-flow coatingmethod, and the like. The drying after coating is preferably carried outat a temperature of approximately room temperature to 120° C. for 10 to90 minutes, although the condition may vary according to the paintcomposition.

The coated film containing the ultraviolet absorbent compositionaccording to the present invention is a coated film formed by using thepaint containing the ultraviolet absorbent according to the presentinvention that contains the ultraviolet absorbent A and B, and thecompound C.

Hereinafter, the ink containing the ultraviolet absorbent compositionaccording to the present invention will be described. The ink containingthe ultraviolet absorbent composition according to the present inventionmay be any ink in any form, as long as it contains the ultravioletabsorbent A and B, and the compound C. For example, it may be a dye ink,a pigment ink, an aqueous ink, a solvent ink, or the like. It may beused in any application. Examples of the applications include the screenprinting ink described in JP-A-8-3502; the flexographic printing inkdescribed in JP-T-2006-521941; the gravure printing ink described inJP-T-2005-533915; the lithographic offset printing ink described inJP-T-11-504954; the letterpress printing ink described inJP-T-2005-533915; the UV ink described in JP-A-5-254277; the EB inkdescribed in JP-A-2006-30596; and the like. Other examples thereofinclude the inkjet inks described in JP-A-11-199808, WO 99/67337pamphlet, JP-A-2005-325150, JP-A-2005-350559, JP-A-2006-8811, andJP-T-2006-514130; the photochromic ink described in JP-A-2006-257165;the thermal transfer ink described in JP-A-8-108650; the masking inkdescribed in JP-A-2005-23111; the fluorescence ink described inJP-A-2004-75888; the security ink described in JP-A-7-164729; the DNAink described in JP-A-2006-22300; and the like.

Hereinafter, the fiber containing the ultraviolet absorbent compositionaccording to the present invention will be described. The fibercontaining the ultraviolet absorbent composition according to thepresent invention may be a fiber of any kind of polymer, as long as itcontains the ultraviolet absorbent A and B, and the compound C. Examplesthereof include the polyester fibers described in JP-A-5-117508,JP-A-7-119036, JP-A-7-196631, JP-A-8-188921, JP-A-10-237760,JP-A-2000-54287, JP-A-2006-299428, and JP-A-2006-299438; thepolyphenylene sulfide fibers described in JP-A-2002-322360 andJP-A-2006-265770; the polyamide fibers described in JP-A-7-76580,JP-A-2001-348785, JP-A-2003-41434, and JP-A-2003-239136; the epoxyfibers described in WO 03/2661 pamphlet; the aramide fibers described inJP-A-10-251981; the polyurethane fibers described in JP-A-6-228816; thecellulosic fibers described in JP-T-2005-517822; and the like.

The fiber containing the ultraviolet absorbent composition according tothe present invention may be prepared by any method. Examples of themethod include the method, as described in JP-A-6-228818, of processinga polymer previously containing the ultraviolet absorbent agent A and B,and the compound C into fiber, and the methods, as described, forexample, in JP-A-5-9870, JP-A-8-188921, and JP-A-10-1587, of processinga material processed in a fiber form with a solution containing theultraviolet absorbent A and B, and the compound C. As described inJP-A-2002-212884 and JP-A-2006-16710, the fiber may be processed byusing a supercritical fluid.

The fiber containing the ultraviolet absorbent composition according tothe present invention can be used in various applications. Examplesthereof include the clothing described in JP-A-5-148703; the backingcloth described in JP-A-2004-285516; the underwear described inJP-A-2004-285517; the blanket described in JP-A-2003-339503; the hosierydescribed in JP-A-2004-11062; the synthetic leather described inJP-A-11-302982; the moth-repellent mesh sheet described inJP-A-7-289097; the mesh sheet for construction described inJP-A-10-1868; the carpet described in JP-A-5-256464; themoisture-permeable water-repellent sheet described in JP-A-5-193037; thenonwoven fabric described in JP-A-6-114991; the ultrafine fiberdescribed in JP-A-11-247028; the fibrous sheet described inJP-A-2000-144583; the refreshing clothing described in JP-A-5-148703;the moisture-permeable water-repellent sheet described in JP-A-5-193037;the flame-resistant synthetic suede cloth structure described inJP-A-7-18584; the resin tarpaulin described in JP-A-8-41785; the filmingagent, external wall material, and agricultural greenhouse described inJP-A-8-193136; the net and mesh for construction described inJP-A-8-269850; the filter substrate described in JP-A-8-284063; thestainproof filming agent described in JP-A-9-57889; the mesh fabric andland net described in JP-A-9-137335; the underwater net described inJP-A-10-165045; the ultrafine fibers described in JP-A-11-247027 and11-247028; the textile fiber described in JP-A-7-310283 andJP-T-2003-528974; the air-bag base cloth described in JP-A-2001-30861;the ultraviolet-absorbing fiber products described in JP-A-7-324283,JP-A-8-20579, and JP-A-2003-147617; and the like.

Hereinafter, the construction material containing the ultravioletabsorbent composition according to the present invention will bedescribed. The construction material containing the ultravioletabsorbent composition according to the present invention may be aconstruction material of any kind of polymer, as long as it contains theultraviolet absorbent A and B, and the compound C. Examples thereofinclude the vinyl chloride-based material described in JP-A-10-6451; theolefinic-based material described in JP-A-10-16152; the polyester-basedmaterial described in JP-A-2002-161158; the polyphenylene ether-basedmaterial described in JP-A-2003-49065; the polycarbonate-based materialdescribed in JP-A-2003-160724; and the like.

The construction material containing the ultraviolet absorbentcomposition according to the present invention may be prepared by anymethod. Examples of the method include the method, as described inJP-A-8-269850, of forming a material containing the ultravioletabsorbent A and B, and the compound C into a desired shape; the methods,as described, for example, in JP-A-10-205056, of forming a laminate of amaterial containing the ultraviolet absorbent A and B, and the compoundC; the methods, as described, for example, in JP-A-8-151457, of forminga coated layer containing the ultraviolet absorbent A and B, and thecompound C; and the methods, as described, for example, inJP-A-2001-172531, of forming it by coating a paint containing theultraviolet absorbent A and B, and the compound C.

The construction material containing the ultraviolet absorbentcomposition according to the present invention can be used in variousapplications. Examples thereof include the external constructionmaterials described in JP-A-7-3955, JP-A-8-151457, and JP-A-2006-266042;the wood structure for construction described in JP-A-8-197511; theroofing material for construction described in JP-A-9-183159; theantimicrobial construction material described in JP-A-11-236734; thebase construction material described in JP-A-10-205056; the antifoulingconstruction material described in JP-A-11-300880; the flame-resistantmaterial described in JP-A-2001-9811; the ceramic construction materialdescribed in JP-A-2001-172531; the decorative construction materialdescribed in JP-A-2003-328523; the painted matter for constructiondescribed in JP-A-2002-226764; the facing materials described inJP-A-10-6451, JP-A-10-16152, and JP-A-2006-306020; the net forconstruction material described in JP-A-8-269850; the moisture-permeablewater-repellent sheet for construction described in JP-A-9-277414; themesh sheet for construction material described in JP-A-10-1868; the filmfor construction material described in JP-A-7-269016; the decorativefilm described in JP-A-2003-211538; the coating materials forconstruction described in JP-A-9-239921, JP-A-9-254345, andJP-A-10-44352; the adhesive composition for construction described inJP-A-8-73825; the civil work construction structure described inJP-A-8-207218; the pathway coating material described inJP-A-2003-82608; the sheet-shaped photocuring resin described inJP-A-2001-139700; the wood-protecting paint described in JP-A-5-253559;the push-switch cover described in JP-A-2005-2941780; the bond-sheetingagent described in JP-A-9-183159; the base construction materialdescribed in JP-A-10-44352; the wall paper described inJP-A-2000-226778; the decorative polyester film described inJP-A-2003-211538; the decorative polyester film for molding materialdescribed in JP-A-2003-211606; the flooring material described inJP-A-2004-3191; and the like.

Hereinafter, the recording medium containing the ultraviolet absorbentcomposition according to the present invention will be described. Therecording medium containing the ultraviolet absorbent compositionaccording to the present invention may be any medium, as long as itcontains the ultraviolet absorbent A and B, and the compound C. Examplesthereof include the inkjet recording media described in JP-A-9-309260,JP-A-2002-178625, JP-A-2002-212237, JP-A-2003-266926, JP-A-2003-266927,and JP-A-2004-181813; the image-receiving medium for thermal transferink described in JP-A-8-108650; the image-receiving sheet forsublimation transfer described in JP-A-10-203033; the image-recordingmedium described in JP-A-2001-249430; the heat-sensitive recordingmedium described in JP-A-8-258415; the reversible heat-sensitiverecording media described in JP-A-9-95055, JP-A-2003-145949, andJP-A-2006-167996; the information-photorecording medium described inJP-A-2002-367227; and the like.

Hereinafter, the image display device containing the ultravioletabsorbent composition according to the present invention will bedescribed. The image display device containing the ultraviolet absorbentcomposition according to the present invention may be any device, aslong as it contains the ultraviolet absorbent A and B, and the compoundC. Examples thereof include the image display device employing anelectrochromic element described in JP-A-2006-301268; the image displaydevice of so-called electronic paper described in JP-A-2006-293155; theplasma display described in JP-A-9-306344; the image display deviceemploying an organic EL element described in JP-A-2000-223271; and thelike. The ultraviolet absorbent composition according to the presentinvention may be contained, for example, in the ultraviolet-absorbinglayer formed in the laminated structure described in JP-A-2000-223271,or in a necessary part such as the circularly polarizing platedescribed, for example, in JP-A-2005-189645.

Hereinafter, the solar cell cover containing the ultraviolet absorbentcomposition according to the present invention will be described. Thesolar cell according to the present invention may be made of any type ofelement. Examples thereof include a crystalline silicon solar cell, anamorphous silicon solar cell, and a dye-sensitized solar cell. Asdescribed in JP-A-2000-174296, a cover material has been used as a partfor providing a crystalline silicon solar cell or an amorphous siliconsolar cell with antifouling property, impact resistance, and durability.As described in JP-A-2006-282970, dye-sensitized solar batteries, whichemploy a metal oxide-based semiconductor that is activated by excitationof light (in particular, ultraviolet light) as its electrode material,have a problem of the photosensitizer colorant adsorbed being decomposedand thus the photovoltaic efficiency gradually declining, and for thatreason, installation of an additional ultraviolet-absorbing layer wasproposed.

The solar cell cover containing the ultraviolet absorbent compositionaccording to the present invention may be a cover of any kind ofpolymer. Examples of the polymer include the polyester described inJP-A-2006-310461; the thermosetting transparent resin described inJP-A-2006-257144; the α-olefin polymer described in JP-A-2006-210906;the polypropylene described in JP-A-2003-168814; the polyether sulfonedescribed in JP-A-2005-129713; the acrylic resin described inJP-A-2004-227843; the transparent fluorine resin described inJP-A-2004-168057; and the like.

The solar cell cover containing the ultraviolet absorbent compositionaccording to the present invention may be prepared by any method. Forexample, the ultraviolet-absorbing layer described in JP-A-11-40833 maybe formed; the layers respectively containing the ultraviolet absorbentmay be laminated, as described in JP-A-2005-129926; it may be containedin the filler layer resin, as described in JP-A-2000-91611; or a filmmay be formed, together with the ultraviolet absorbent-containingpolymer described in JP-A-2005-346999.

The solar cell cover containing the ultraviolet absorbent compositionaccording to the present invention may be in any form. Examples thereofinclude the film and sheet described in JP-A-2000-91610 andJP-A-11-261085; the laminate film described, for example, inJP-A-11-40833; the cover glass structure described in JP-A-11-214736;and the like. The ultraviolet absorbent may be contained in the sealerdescribed in JP-A-2001-261904.

Other examples of applications include the illumination light sourcecovers described in JP-A-8-102296, JP-A-2000-67629, andJP-A-2005-353554; the synthetic leathers described in JP-A-5-272076 andJP-A-2003-239181; the sport goggle described in JP-A-2006-63162; thedeflection lens described in JP-A-2007-93649; the hard-coat for variousplastic products described in JP-A-2001-214121, JP-A-2001-214122,JP-A-2001-315263, JP-A-2003-206422, JP-A-2003-25478, JP-A-2004-137457,and JP-A-2005-132999; the hard-coat for bonding on external windowdescribed in JP-A-2002-36441; the window film described inJP-A-10-250004; the high-definition antiglare hard-coat film describedin JP-A-2002-36452; the antistatic hard-coat film described inJP-A-2003-39607; the permeable hard-coat film described inJP-A-2004-114355; the antiforgery ledger sheet described inJP-A-2002-113937; the turf purpura-preventing agent described inJP-A-2002-293706; the resin film/sheet-bonding sealant described inJP-A-2006-274179; the light guiding body described in JP-A-2005-326761;the coating agent for rubber described in JP-A-2006-335855; theagricultural covering materials described in JP-A-10-34841 andJP-A-2002-114879; the color candles described in JP-T-2004-532306 andJP-T-2004-530024; the cloth-rinsing agent composition described inJP-T-2004-525273; the laminated glass described in JP-A-10-194796; theprism sheet described in JP-A-10-287804; the protective layer transfersheet described in JP-A-2000-71626; the photocuring resin productdescribed in JP-A-2001-139700; the flooring sheet described inJP-A-2001-159228; the water droplet-repellent and heat wave-shieldingglass plate described in JP-A-2002-127310; the light-blocking printinglabel described in JP-A-2002-189415; the fuel cup described inJP-A-2002-130591; the articles with hard-coat film described inJP-A-2002-307619; the intermediate transfer recording medium describedin JP-A-2002-307845; the synthetic hair described in JP-A-2006-316395;the low-temperature heat-shrinkable films for label described in WO99/29490 pamphlet and JP-A-2004-352847; the fishing goods described inJP-A-2000-224942; the micro beads described in JP-A-8-208976; theprecoated metal plate described in JP-A-8-318592; the thin filmdescribed in JP-A-2005-504735; the heat-shrinkable film described inJP-A-2005-105032; the in-mold molding label described inJP-A-2005-37642; the projection screen described in JP-A-2005-55615; thedecorative sheets described in JP-A-9-300537, JP-A-2000-25180,JP-A-2003-19776, and JP-A-2005-74735; the hot-melt adhesive described inJP-A-2001-207144; the adhesives described in JP-T-2002-543265,JP-T-2002-543266 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,225,384; the electrodeposition coatand the basecoat described in JP-A-2004-352783; the woodsurface-protecting agent described in JP-A-7-268253; thelight-controlling materials, light-controlling films, andlight-controlling glasses described in JP-A-2003-253265,JP-A-2005-105131, JP-A-2005-300962, and Japanese Patent No. 3915339; themoth-repellent lamp described in JP-A-2005-304340; the touch paneldescribed in JP-A-2005-44154; the sealant for bonding resin film sheetdescribed in JP-A-2006-274197; the polycarbonate film coating materialdescribed in JP-A-2006-89697; the optical fiber tape described inJP-A-2000-231044; the solid wax described in JP-T-2002-527559; and thelike.

Hereinafter, the method of evaluating the light stability of the polymermaterial will be described. Preferable methods of evaluating the lightstability of the polymer material are described, for example, in“Methods for Improving the Photostability of Polymers” (CMC Publishing,2000), pp. 85 to 107; “Basis and Physical Properties of High FunctionalCoatings” (CMC Publishing, 2003), pp. 314 to 359; “Durability of PolymerMaterials and Composite Material Products” (CMC Publishing, 2005);“Elongation of Lifetime of Polymer Materials and Environmental Measures”(CMC Publishing, 2000); H. Zweifel Ed., “Plastics Additives Handbook,5th Edition” (Hanser Publishers), pp. 238 to 244; and Tadahiko Kutsura,“Basic Seminar 2. Science of Plastic Packaging Container” (Society ofpackaging Science & Technology, Japan, 2003), Chapter 8.

In addition, the light stability in each application can be attained bythe following known evaluation methods.

The photodegradation of polymer materials can be evaluated by the methoddescribed in JIS-K7105:1981, JIS-K7101:1981, JIS-K7102:1981,JIS-K7219:1998, JIS-K7350-1:1995, JIS-K7350-2:1995, JIS-K7350-3:1996,JIS-K7350-4:1996 or a method referring to those.

The light stability in the packaging or container application can beevaluated by the method of JIS-K7105 and a method referring to that.Typical examples thereof include the light transmittance andtransparency evaluation of the bottle body and the functional testevaluation of the bottle content after ultraviolet irradiation by usinga xenon light source described in JP-A-2006-298456; the haze valueevaluation after xenon lamp irradiation described in JP-A-2000-238857;the haze value evaluation by using a halogen lamp as the light sourcedescribed in JP-A-2006-224317; the yellowing evaluation after mercurylamp irradiation by using a blue wool scale described inJP-A-2006-240734; the haze value evaluation and the visual observationof color development by using Sunshine Weather Meter described inJP-A-2005-105004 and JP-A-2006-1568; the ultraviolet light transmittanceevaluation described in JP-A-7-40954, JP-A-8-151455, JP-A-10-168292,JP-A-2001-323082, and JP-A-2005-146278; the ultraviolet-blocking rateevaluation described in JP-A-9-48935 and 9-142539; the lighttransmittance evaluation described in JP-A-9-241407, JP-A-2004-243674,JP-A-2005-320408, JP-A-2005-305745, and JP-A-2005-156220; the evaluationof the viscosity of the ink in ink container described inJP-A-2005-178832; the light transmittance evaluation, the visualobservation of the container sample and the color difference AEevaluation after sunlight irradiation described in JP-A-2005-278678; theultraviolet light transmittance evaluation, the light transmittanceevaluation, and the color difference evaluation after white fluorescentlamp irradiation described in JP-A-2004-51174; the light transmittanceevaluation, the haze value evaluation, and the color tone evaluationdescribed in JP-A-2004-285189; the yellowness index evaluation describedin JP-A-2003-237825; the light-blocking evaluation and the brightnessevaluation by using the color difference Formula of the L*a*b* colorsystem described in JP-A-2003-20966; the yellowing evaluation by usingthe color difference ΔEa*b* of a sample after irradiation of xenonlights of different in wavelength described in JP-A-2002-68322; theultraviolet absorbance evaluation after ultraviolet light irradiationdescribed in JP-A-2001-26081; the film tensile elongation test afterphotoirradiation by using Sunshine Weather Meter described inJP-A-10-298397; the antimicrobial evaluation after photoirradiation in axenon weather meter described in JP-A-10-237312; the evaluation ofdiscoloration of a package content after fluorescent lamp irradiationdescribed in JP-A-9-239910; the evaluation of oil peroxide value andcolor tone of a salad oil-filled bottle after fluorescent lampirradiation described in JP-A-9-86570; the evaluation of the differencein absorbance after chemical lamp irradiation described inJP-A-8-301363; the evaluation of surface glossiness retention rate andappearance after photoirradiation by using Sunshine Weather Meterdescribed in JP-A-8-208765; the evaluation of color difference andbending strength after photoirradiation by using SunshineWeather-O-meter described in JP-A-7-216152; the light-blocking rateevaluation and the evaluation of the peroxide generated in kerosenedescribed in JP-A-5-139434; and the like.

The long-term durability, in the case where the polymer material is usedin the coating material and coated film applications, can be evaluatedaccording to the method of JIS-K5400, JIS-K5600-7-5:1999,JIS-K5600-7-6:2002, JIS-K5600-7-7:1999, JIS-K5600-7-8:1999, or JIS-K8741or a method referring to those. Typical examples thereof include theevaluation using the color density, the color difference ΔEa*b* in theCIE L*a*b* color coordinates, and the residual brilliance afterphotoirradiation in an xenon light-endurance test machine and an UVCONapparatus described in JP-T-2000-509082; the absorbance evaluation afterphotoirradiation on a film placed on a quartz slide in an xenon arclight-endurance test machine, and the evaluation of the color densityand the color difference ΔEa*b* in the CIE L*a*b* color coordinatesafter fluorescent or UV lamp irradiation on wax described inJP-T-2004-520284; the color tone evaluation after photoirradiation in aMetalweather weather-resistance test machine described inJP-A-2006-160847; the evaluation of brilliance retention rate and theevaluation by using color difference ΔEa*b* after photoirradiation testby using a metal halide lamp, and the evaluation of glossiness afterphotoirradiation by a sunshine carbon arc light source described inJP-A-2005-307161; the evaluation by using color difference ΔEa*b*, thebrilliance retention rate evaluation and the appearance evaluation afterphotoirradiation in a Metalweather weather-resistance test machinedescribed in JP-A-2002-69331; the brilliance retention rate evaluationafter photoirradiation by using Sunshine Weather-O-Meter described inJP-A-2002-38084; the evaluation by using the color difference ΔEa*b* andthe brilliance retention rate evaluation after photoirradiation in a QUVweather-resistance test machine described in JP-A-2001-59068; thebrilliance retention rate evaluation after photoirradiation by usingSunshine Weather-O-Meter described in JP-A-2001-115080, JP-A-6-49368,and JP-A-2001-262056; the evaluation of post-irradiation appearanceafter photoirradiation on a coated plate by using SunshineWeather-O-Meter described in JP-A-8-324576, JP-A-9-12924, JP-A-9-169950,JP-A-9-241534, and JP-A-2001-181558; the evaluation of the brillianceretention rate and the fluctuation in brightness after photoirradiationby using Sunshine Weather-O-Meter described in JP-A-2000-186234; theevaluation of the appearance of the deteriorated coated film after dewcycle WOM photoirradiation on coated film described in JP-A-10-298493;the evaluation of the ultraviolet light transmittance of coated filmdescribed in JP-A-7-26177; the evaluation of the ultraviolet-blockingrate of coated film described in JP-A-7-3189 and JP-A-9-263729; thecomparative evaluation of the period until the brilliance retention rateof the coated film declines to 80% by using Sunshine Weather-O-Meter asdescribed in JP-A-6-1945; the evaluation of rusting afterphotoirradiation by using a Dewpanel Light Control Weather Meterdescribed in JP-A-6-313148; the evaluation of the strength of a concreteto the coated formwork after external exposure described inJP-A-6-346022; the evaluation by using the color difference ΔEa*b*, thelattice adhesion test and the surface appearance evaluation afterexternal photoirradiation described in JP-A-5-185031; the brillianceretention rate evaluation after external photoirradiation described inJP-A-5-78606; the evaluation of post-irradiation yellowing (ΔYI) byusing a carbon arc light source described in JP-A-2006-63162; and thelike.

The light stability, in the case where the polymer material is used inthe ink application, is determined by the method of JIS-K5701-1:2000,JIS-K7360-2, or ISO105-B02 or a method referring to those. Specificexamples thereof include the evaluation of the color density and themeasurement by the CIE L*a*b* color coordinates after photoirradiationby using an office fluorescent lamp or a discoloration tester describedin JP-T-2006-514130; the electrophoretic evaluation after ultravioletlight irradiation by using a xenon arc light source described inJP-A-2006-22300; the print concentration evaluation with a xenon fademeter described in JP-A-2006-8811; the ink blurring evaluation by usinga 100W chemical lamp described in JP-A-2005-23111; the evaluation of thedye residual ratio in the image-forming range by using a weather meterdescribed in JP-A-2005-325150; the evaluation of print chalking anddiscoloration by using an Eye Super UV Tester described inJP-A-2002-127596; the evaluation of print by using the color differenceΔEa*b* in the CIE L*a*b* color coordinates after photoirradiation by axenon fade meter described in JP-A-11-199808 and JP-A-8-108650; thereflectance evaluation after photoirradiation by using a carbon arclight source described in JP-A-7-164729; and the like.

The light stability of the solar cell module can be evaluated accordingto the method of JIS-C8917:1998 or JIS-C8938:1995 or a method referringto those. Specific examples thereof include the I-V-measuringphotovoltaic efficiency evaluation after photoirradiation by a xenonlamp light source having a sunlight-simulating compensation filterdescribed in JP-A-2006-282970; and the evaluation of discoloration grayscale degree, color, and apparent adhesiveness after photoirradiation byusing Sunshine Weather Meter or a fade meter described in JP-A-11-261085and JP-A-2000-144583.

The light stability of fibers and fiber products can be evaluatedaccording to the method of JIS-L1096:1999, JIS-A5905:2003, JIS-L0842,JIS-K6730, JIS-K7107, DIN75.202, SAEJ1885, SN-ISO-105-B02, or AS/NZS4399or a method referring to those. Examples thereof include the ultravioletlight transmittance evaluation described in JP-A-10-1587,JP-A-2006-299428, and JP-A-2006-299438; the blue scale discolorationevaluation after photoirradiation by using a xenon light source or acarbon arc light source described in JP-A-6-228816, JP-A-7-76580,JP-A-8-188921, JP-A-11-247028, JP-A-11-247027, JP-A-2000-144583,JP-A-2002-322360, JP-A-2003-339503, and JP-A-2004-11062; the UV-blockingrate evaluation described in JP-A-2003-147617; the ultraviolet-blockingproperty evaluation described in JP-A-2003-41434; the blue scalediscoloration evaluation after dry cleaning and after irradiation byusing a carbon arc light source described in JP-A-11-302982; theevaluation of lightness index and color difference ΔE* according tochromaticness index after irradiation by using a Fade-O-meter describedin JP-A-7-119036 and JP-A-10-251981; the tensile strength evaluationafter photoirradiation by using a UV tester or Sunshine Weather Meterdescribed in JP-A-9-57889, JP-A-9-137335, JP-A-10-1868, andJP-A-10-237760; the total transmission and strength retention evaluationdescribed in JP-A-8-41785 and JP-A-8-193136; the ultraviolet protectionfactor (UPF) evaluation described in JP-T-2003-528974, JP-T-2005-517822,and JP-A-8-20579; the discoloration gray scale evaluation afterirradiation by using a high-temperature fade meter described inJP-A-6-228818, JP-A-7-324283, JP-A-7-196631, and JP-A-7-18584; theappearance evaluation after external photoirradiation described inJP-A-7-289097; the evaluation of yellowness index (YI) and yellowingdegree (ΔYI) after ultraviolet irradiation described in JP-A-7-289665;the reflection evaluation described in JP-T-2003-528974; and the like.

The light stability of the construction material can be evaluatedaccording to the method of JIS-A1415:1999 or a method referring to that.Specific examples thereof include the surface color tone evaluationafter photoirradiation by using Sunshine Weather-O-Meter described inJP-A-2006-266402; the appearance evaluation after irradiation by using acarbon arc light source, the post-irradiation appearance evaluation byusing an Eye Super UV Tester, the post-irradiation absorbanceevaluation, the post-irradiation chromaticity and color differenceevaluation, and the evaluation by using the color difference ΔEa*b* ofCIE L*a*b* color coordinates and brilliance retention rate afterphotoirradiation by using a metal halide lamp light source described inJP-A-2004-3191 and JP-A-2006-306020; the evaluation of the change inhaze value after photoirradiation by using Sunshine Weather Meter, andthe elongation retention rate after photoirradiation by using a tensiletest machine described in JP-A-10-44352, JP-A-2003-211538,JP-A-9-239921, JP-A-9-254345, and JP-A-2003-211606; the evaluation ofultraviolet transmittance after solvent dipping and the visualevaluation of post-irradiation appearance by using an Eye Super UVTester described in JP-A-2002-161158; the evaluation of brilliancechange after a QUV test described in JP-A-2002-226764; the brillianceretention rate evaluation after irradiation by using SunshineWeather-O-Meter described in JP-A-2001-172531; the evaluation by usingthe color difference ΔEa*b* after ultraviolet irradiation by using ablack light blue fluorescent lamp described in JP-A-11-300880; theevaluation of post-irradiation adhesion retention rate andultraviolet-blocking property by using a UVCON acceleration test machinedescribed in JP-A-10-205056; the appearance evaluation, the total lighttransmittance evaluation, the haze change evaluation, and tensile shearadhesive strength evaluation after external exposure (JIS-A1410)described in JP-A-8-207218 and JP-A-9-183159; the evaluation of totallight transmittance of the light in the entire wavelength range, thehaze evaluation, and the yellowing degree evaluation after irradiationby using a xenon weather meter described in JP-A-8-151457; theevaluation of yellowing degree (ΔYI) and ultraviolet absorbent residualratio after irradiation by using Sunshine Weather-O-Meter described inJP-A-7-3955; and the like.

The light stability when the polymer material is used in the recordingmedium application can be evaluated according to the method of JIS-K7350or a method referring to that. Specific examples thereof include theevaluation of the difference in base color in the printing unit afterfluorescent lamp irradiation described in JP-A-2006-167996; theevaluation of image density residual rate after irradiation by using axenon weather meter described in JP-A-10-203033 and JP-A-2004-181813;the evaluation of the change in optical reflection density afterirradiation by using a xenon weather meter described inJP-A-2002-207845; the yellowing degree evaluation based on the L*a*b*evaluation system after irradiation by using a Suntest CPSphotodiscoloration tester described in JP-A-2003-266926; thepost-irradiation discoloration evaluation by using a fade meterdescribed in JP-A-2003-145949; the visual evaluation of post-irradiationdiscoloration by using a xenon fade meter described in JP-A-2002-212237;the color density retention rate evaluation after indoor sunlightirradiation and the post-irradiation color density retention rateevaluation by using a xenon weather meter described in JP-A-2002-178625;the evaluation of post-exposure C/N by using a fade meter described inJP-A-2002-367227; the fog density evaluation after fluorescent lampirradiation described in JP-A-2001-249430; the optical reflectiondensity evaluation and the erasability evaluation after irradiation byusing a fluorescent lamp described in JP-A-9-95055; the evaluation ofpost-irradiation color difference ΔE* by using an Atlas fade meterdescribed in JP-A-9-309260; the visual evaluation of post-irradiationdiscoloration by using a carbon arc fade meter described inJP-A-8-258415; the evaluation of the retention rate of organic ELelement color-changing property described in JP-A-2000-223271; themeasurement and evaluation of organic EL display brightness afterphotoirradiation by a xenon discoloration tester described inJP-A-2005-189645; and the like.

Other evaluation methods include those of JIS-K7103 and ISO/DIS9050 or amethod referring to those. Specific examples thereof include theappearance evaluation of a polycarbonate coating film after irradiationby a UV tester described in JP-A-2006-89697; the blue scale evaluationof a synthetic hair after irradiation with ultraviolet light describedin JP-A-2006-316395; the evaluation of water contact angle on a testcloth after irradiation by using an accelerated weather-resistance testmachine described in JP-A-2006-335855; the evaluation of a visual imageprojected on a projection screen after irradiation by using aweather-resistance test machine described in JP-A-2005-55615; theevaluation of the deterioration of sample surface and visual evaluationof ornamental change after irradiation by using a Sunshine Weather Meteror a metal weather meter described in JP-A-2005-74735; the visualevaluation of appearance after photoirradiation by using a metal lampreflector described in JP-A-2005-326761; the evaluation of the lighttransmittance of bottle label described in JP-A-2002-189415 andJP-A-2004-352847; the evaluation of polypropylene deterioration afterirradiation by using a xenon weather meter under humid conditiondescribed in JP-A-2003-19776; the evaluation of the deterioration of ahard-coat film, the deterioration evaluation, the hydrophilicityevaluation and the abrasion resistance evaluation of the base materialby using Sunshine Weather-O-Meter described in JP-A-2002-36441 andJP-A-2003-25478; the evaluation of the gray scale color difference ofsynthetic leather after irradiation by using a xenon lamp lightdescribed in JP-A-2003-239181; the evaluation of liquid crystal devicecharacteristics after irradiation by using a mercury lamp described inJP-A-2003-253265; the post-irradiation adhesiveness evaluation by usingSunshine Weather-O-Meter described in JP-A-2002-307619; the evaluationof the degree of turf purpura described in JP-A-2002-293706; theevaluation of ultraviolet light transmittance and tensile strength afterirradiation by using a xenon arc light source described inJP-A-2002-114879; the concrete adhesion velocity evaluation described inJP-A-2001-139700; the appearance evaluation and the coated-filmadhesiveness evaluation after irradiation by using SunshineWeather-O-Meter described in JP-A-2001-315263; the evaluation ofpost-irradiation yellowing degree and adhesiveness by using a carbon arclight source described in JP-A-2001-214121 and JP-A-2001-214122; theadhesiveness evaluation by using an ultraviolet fade meter described inJP-A-2001-207144; the evaluation of insect-repellency when illuminationis turned on described in JP-A-2000-67629; the evaluation of thelaminated glass yellowing degree (ΔYI) by using an Eye Super UV Testerdescribed in JP-A-10-194796; the evaluation of the surface appearanceand brilliance retention rate after QUV irradiation andhumidity-resistance tests described in JP-A-8-318592; the evaluation ofcolor difference with time by using a dew panel light control weathermeter described in JP-A-8-208976; the evaluation of the glossiness (DI)and the yellowness index (YI) in the wood base-coated state afterirradiation by using a xenon Weather-O-meter described in JP-A-7-268253;the ultraviolet absorbance evaluation after repeated processing of UVirradiation and storage in dark described in JP-T-2002-5443265 andJP-T-2002-543266; the evaluation of dye discoloration color differenceAE after ultraviolet irradiation described in JP-T-2004-532306; and thelike.

EXAMPLES

The present invention will be described in more detail based on thefollowing examples, but the invention is not intended to be limitedthereby.

Example 1 Preparation of Ultraviolet Absorbent Composition Samples

Ultraviolet absorbent composition samples 1 to 7 in combination ofultraviolet absorbents A and B, and the compound C were prepared, asshown in the following Table. In the following Table 1-1, the ratio ofthe ultraviolet absorbents A to B, and the compound C (A:B:C) isexpressed by molar ratio.

The ultraviolet absorbent A was subjected to be a solution in ethylacetate at a concentration of approximately 5×10⁻⁵ mol·dm⁻³, and the UVspectrum of the solution was measured in a 1-cm quartz cell by using aspectrophotometer UV-3600 (trade name) manufactured by ShimadzuCorporation. The absorption maximum wavelength, the half value width,and the rate of the absorbance at 320 nm relative to that at theabsorption maximum wavelength were calculated form the spectral chartobtained. As a result, absorption maximum wavelength was 369 nm, thehalf value width was 34 nm and the molar extinction coefficient at themaximum absorption wavelength was 50,000 or more. Further, with respectto the compound used as the ultraviolet absorbent B, measurement of themaximum absorption wavelength was performed in the same manner as theabove. Results are summarized in the following Table 1-2.

TABLE 1-1 Ultraviolet absorbent Sample A B Compound C (A:B:C) Remarks 1(47) B-1 C-48 1:2:0.06 This invention 2 (47) B-2 C-48 1:2:0.06 Thisinvention 3 (47) B-3 C-48 1:1.5:0.06 This invention 4 (47) B-4 C-481:2:0.06 This invention 5 (47) B-4 C-48 1:3:0.06 This invention 6 (47)B-4 C-48 1:2:0.06 This invention 7 (47) B-1 C-2 1:2:0.5 This invention 8(47) X-1 C-48 1:2:0.06 Comparative example 9 (47) X-2 C-48 2:1:0.06Comparative example 10 (47) B-4 C-48 1:2:0 Comparative example

TABLE 1-2 Absorbance at 320 nm Absorption maximum relative to that atthe absorption Compound wavelength (nm) maximum wavelength (%) B-1 34661 B-2 286 62 B-3 282 57 B-4 288 62 X-1 339 76 X-2 346 57

The compound X-1 has the following structure, and is commerciallyavailable as trade name TINUVIN 329 (manufactured by Ciba SpecialtyChemicals).

The compound X-2 has the following structure, and is commerciallyavailable as trade name TINUVIN 460 (manufactured by Ciba SpecialtyChemicals).

Example 2 Preparation of Paint Samples

10 g of a polymethylmethacrylate resin (PMMA resin), 80 g of a mixedliquid of ethyl acetate: 2-buthanone=1:1, and 20 g of sample 1 weremixed, and dissolved while stirring. Thereby, paint 1 was obtained.Further, paints 2 to 10 were obtained in the same manner as the paint 1,except that the sample 1 was substituted by the samples 2 to 10.

(Evaluation-1, Pot Life of Paint)

The obtained paints 1 to 10 were stood at room temperature for one week.Thereafter, a color of the paint liquid and deposits were visuallyobserved. The results are shown in Table 2. Evaluation was performedwith respect to a paint immediately after preparation (flesh) andanother paint after over time at room temperature, and the case in whichneither discoloration nor deposit is observed was determined as ∘,whereas the case in which discoloration and/or deposit are observed wasdetermined as x.

(Production of Coating Film)

The paint 1 was coated on a polyethyleneterephthalate (PET) film havinga thickness of 100 μm using a coil bar (#3). The obtained coating filmwas dried at 80° C. for 1 minute to produce coating film 1. Coatingfilms 2 to 10 were produced in the same manner as the coating film 1,except that the sample 1 was substituted by the samples 2 to 10.

(Evaluation-2, Surface State of Coating Film)

The obtained coating films 1 to 10 were stood at room temperature forone week. Thereafter, a surface state of each coating film was visuallyobserved. The results are shown in Table 2. Evaluation was performedwith respect to a coating film immediately after preparation (flesh) andanother coating film after a period at room temperature, and the case inwhich the surface state is clear was determined as ∘, whereas the casein which there are defects of the surface state such as bleeding out wasdetermined as x.

TABLE 2 Evaluation-2 Evaluation-1 After Sample Flesh After a periodFlesh a period Remarks 1 ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ This invention 2 ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ This invention3 ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ This invention 4 ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ This invention 5 ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ Thisinvention 6 ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ This invention 7 ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ This invention 8 ◯ X X XComparative example 9 X X X X Comparative example 10 ◯ X ◯ X Comparativeexample

As is apparent from Table 2, it is understood that the paint and thecoating films (samples 1 to 7) in each of which the ultravioletabsorbent composition of the present invention is used are excellent inboth pot life of paint and surface state of coating film. On the otherhand, in the case (samples 8 and 9) in which the compounds other thanthe compound represented by formula (2-a) or (2-b) are used as theultraviolet absorbent B, when the paints were stood for a long time,there were deposits. In the case (sample 10) in which the compound C isnot added, its color was changed, and were inferior as to the pot lifeof paint and surface state of coating film.

(Evaluation-3, Transmittance of Coating Film, Deterioration Resistanceto Light)

With respect to each of the obtained coating films 1 to 10, a portionthe surface state of which is clear was cut off. Transmittance spectrumof the portion was measured using a spectrophotometer (U-4100SPECTROPHOTOMETER, trade name, manufactured by Hitachi High-TechnologiesCorporation). The case in which both transmittances at 320 nm and 390 nmare less than 1% was determined as ∘. In contrast, the case in whichboth transmittances at 320 nm and 390 nm are equal to 1% or more than 1%was determined as x.

Further, each coating film was exposed to light from a xenon lamp (aproduct of Eagle Engineering) equipped with a WG 320 filter (a productof SCHOTT AG) at an illumination intensity of 170,000 lux. Transmittancespectrum of the coating film which has been exposed for 10 hours wasmeasured. Evaluation was performed with respect to a coating film beforeexposure and another coating film after exposure, and the case in whichtransmittance at 390 nm is 0.5% or less was determined as ∘. Incontrast, the case in which transmittance at 390 nm is more than 0.5%was determined as x.

The results are shown in Table 3.

TABLE 3 Evaluation-3 Deterioration resistance to light TransmittanceBefore After Film 320 nm 390 nm irradiation irradiation Remarks 1 ◯ ◯ ◯◯ This invention 2 ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ This invention 3 ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ This invention 4 ◯ ◯◯ ◯ This invention 5 ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ This invention 6 ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ This invention 7 ◯◯ ◯ ◯ This invention 8 X ◯ ◯ ◯ Comparative example 9 X ◯ ◯ ◯ Comparativeexample 10 ◯ ◯ ◯ X Comparative example

As is apparent from Table 3, it is understood that the cases (coatingfilms 1 to 7) in each of which the ultraviolet absorbent composition ofthe present invention is used are excellent in both transmittance anddeterioration resistance to light. On the other hand, it is understoodthat the cases (samples 8 and 9) in which the compounds other than thecompound represented by formula (2-a) or (2-b) are used as theultraviolet absorbent B show inferior transmittance at near-320 nm.Further, it is understood that the case (sample 10) in which thecompound C is not added shows inferior resistance to light, andtransmittance at near-390 nm is deteriorated after xenon lampirradiation test.

From the above-described results, it is understood that the ultravioletabsorbent composition of the present invention shows a wide-wavelengthrange of ultraviolet absorptive capacity and high resistance to light incombination. Further, it is understood that, in a case in which theultraviolet absorbent composition of the present invention is used aspaints, a pot life property is conspicuously improved, and in a case inwhich the ultraviolet absorbent composition of the present invention isformed as a coating film, bleeding out of the ultraviolet absorbent issuppressed.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The ultraviolet absorbent composition of the present invention may befavorably used, for example, in an ultraviolet absorbing filter, anultraviolet absorbing film, a wrapping material, a container, a paint,an ink, a fiber, an architectural material, a recording medium, a liquidcrystal display device, and a cover for a solar cell. The ultravioletabsorbent composition of the present invention may be favorably used,for example, as dispersion, a solution, or a polymeric material.

Having described our invention as related to the present embodiments, itis our intention that the invention not be limited by any of the detailsof the description, unless otherwise specified, but rather be construedbroadly within its spirit and scope as set out in the accompanyingclaims.

This non-provisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) on Patent Application No. 2008-123714 filed in Japan on May 9, 2008,which is entirely herein incorporated by reference.

1. An ultraviolet absorbent composition, comprising: an ultravioletabsorbent A represented by formula (1); an ultraviolet absorbent Brepresented by formula (2-a) or (2-b); and a compound C, which is atleast one kind of compound selected from the group consisting of asinglet oxygen scavenger, an antioxidant and a radical trapping agent:

wherein R^(a1) and R^(a2) each independently represent a hydrogen atom,a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted orunsubstituted aryl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclicgroup; R^(a1) and R^(a2) may bond to each other to form anitrogen-containing ring; R^(a3) and R^(a4) each independently representa substituent having a Hammett substituent constant σp value of 0.2 ormore; R^(a3) and R may bond to each other to form a ring; R^(a5), R^(a6)and R^(a)7 each represent a hydrogen atom or a monovalent substituent;and any two of R^(a1), R^(a5), R^(a6) and R^(a)7 may bond with eachother to form a ring; and

wherein, in formula (2-a), X₁ and X₂ each independently represent ahydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a substituted orunsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group,a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy group, a substituted orunsubstituted alkylsulfonyl group, a substituted or unsubstitutedarylsulfonyl group, a sulfonic acid group, a substituted orunsubstituted alkyloxycarbonyl group, a substituted or unsubstitutedaryloxycarbonyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted amino group; ands1 and s2 each independently represent an integer of 1 to 3; andwherein, in formula (2-b), X₁ represents a hydrogen atom, a halogenatom, a hydroxyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, asubstituted or unsubstituted phenyl group, a substituted orunsubstituted alkoxy group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkylsulfonylgroup, a substituted or unsubstituted arylsulfonyl group, a sulfonicacid group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyloxycarbonyl group, asubstituted or unsubstituted aryloxycarbonyl group, or a substituted orunsubstituted amino group; s1 represents an integer of 1 to 3; Lgrepresents a divalent substituent or a single bond; w represents 0 or 1;tb represents 1 or 2; X₃ represents, when tb is 1, a hydrogen atom, ahalogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkylgroup, a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group, a substituted orunsubstituted alkoxy group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkylsulfonylgroup, a substituted or unsubstituted arylsulfonyl group, a sulfonicacid group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyloxycarbonyl group, asubstituted or unsubstituted aryloxycarbonyl group, or a substituted orunsubstituted amino group; and when tb is 2, X₃ represents a divalentsubstituent.
 2. The ultraviolet absorbent composition according to claim1, wherein the compound C is a compound represented by formula (3-a) or(3-b):

wherein in formula (3-a), R¹¹ represents a hydrogen atom, an aliphaticgroup, an aromatic group, a heterocyclic group bound via a carbon atom,or a hydrolysable protective group; R¹², R¹³, R¹⁴, R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ eachindependently represent a hydrogen atom or a substituent; and R¹¹ andR¹², R¹² and R¹³, R¹³ and R¹⁴, R¹⁴ and R¹⁵, R¹⁵ and R¹⁶, and R¹⁶ and R¹¹may bond to each other to form a ring; and in formula (3-b), R²¹represents a hydrogen atom, an aliphatic group, an acyl group, asulfonyl group, a sulfinyl group, an oxy radical group or a hydroxylgroup; Q represents a group of nonmetallic atoms necessary for forming a5-, 6- or 7-membered ring; R²², R²³, R²⁴, and R²⁵ each independentlyrepresents a hydrogen atom, an aliphatic group, an aromatic group, or aheterocyclic group bound via a carbon atom; and R²¹ and R²², R²² andR²³, R²⁴ and R²⁵, and R²¹ and R²⁴ may bond to each other to form a ring.3. The ultraviolet absorbent composition according to claim 1, whereinthe ultraviolet absorbent A has the maximum absorption wavelength of 350nm or more and 400 nm or less, the half width of 55 nm or less, and themolar extinction coefficient at the maximum absorption wavelength of50,000 or more.
 4. The ultraviolet absorbent composition according toclaim 1, wherein the ultraviolet absorbent B has the maximum absorptionwavelength of less than 320 nm.
 5. The ultraviolet absorbent compositionaccording to claim 1, wherein the ultraviolet absorbent B has themaximum absorption wavelength of 320 nm or more and 350 nm or less. 6.The ultraviolet absorbent composition according to claim 1, wherein amixing ratio of the ultraviolet absorbent A the ultraviolet absorbent Bis 1:10 to 10:1.
 7. The ultraviolet absorbent composition according toclaim 2, wherein the compound C is the compound represented by formula(3-b).
 8. An ultraviolet absorbent dispersion, comprising theultraviolet absorbent composition according to claim
 1. 9. Anultraviolet absorbent solution, comprising the ultraviolet absorbentcomposition according to claim
 1. 10. A polymer material, comprising theultraviolet absorbent composition according to claim 1.